presents the Midwest premiere of:
Soul Samurai By Qui Nguyen Directed By Mitch Golob Fight Director Geoff Coates
Video Design Liviu Pasare
Scenic Design David Ferguson
Lighting Design Charles Cooper, USAA
Sound Design Miles Polaski
Costume Design Rachel Sypniewski
Props, Mask, & Puppetry Design Joy Dennis
Stage Manager Tara Malpass
Production Manager Maria Gerbino
Technical Director Adina Lee Weinig
Casting Director Claire Tuft
This program is partially supported by grants from:
InFusion Theatre Co. 1
CAST Dewdrop................................................................................................................................. Christine Lin Cert.........................................................................................................................................Steve Thomas Sally December...........................................................................................................Amy Dellagiarino Boss 2K / Marcus.............................................................................................................Jon McGilberry Master Leroy, Others...................................................................................................................Evan Lee Grandmaster Mack, Others.......................................................................................... Glenn Stanton Pastor, Others........................................................................................................................ Paul Tadalan Angela, Others...........................................................................................................................Anji White Longtooth, Others.......................................................................Megan Tabaque, Zach Livingston And featuring as the Dee-Jay..............................................DJ Dishwasha aka Jesse Livingston Time: The Not Too Distant Future Setting: Post-Apocalyptic New York City The performance runs approximately 1 hour 45 minutes including one intermission Theatrical haze and strobe lights will be used in the performance.
P R O D U C T I O N S TA F F Director................................................................................................................................... Mitch Golob Fight Director........................................................................................................................Geoff Coates Assistant Fight Director................................................................................................Charlie Cascino Video Design...........................................................................................................................Liviu Pasare Scenic Design.................................................................................................................David Ferguson Lighting Design.................................................................................................Charles Cooper, USAA Assistant Lighting Design.............................................................................................Jessica Carson Sound Design.......................................................................................................................Miles Polaski Co-Sound Design................................................................................................................. Chris LaPort Co-Sound Design................................................................................................................. Misha Fiksel Costume Design...................................................................................................... Rachel Sypniewski Props, Mask, and Puppetry Design....................................................................................Joy Dennis Zach Livingston.................................................................................................Dance Choreographer Production Manager.......................................................................................................Maria Gerbino Assistant Production Manager..............................................................................Aaron Pijanowski Stage Manager.....................................................................................................................Tara Malpass Assistant Stage Manager.........................................................................................Jason Crutchfield Technical Director......................................................................................................Adina Lee Weinig Master Electrician.............................................................................................................Scott Pillsbury Carpenters.............................................................................................Matt Vaessen, Rupert Priniski Scenic Artist......................................................................................................................... Tamar Daskin Dramaturg...............................................................................................................................Jamie Bragg Casting Director........................................................................................................................ Claire Tuft Media Relationst.................................................................. SHOUT Marketing & Media Relations
SPECIAL THANKS Cyndee Sweetland of Surroundings by Sweetland Shelley and Malcolm at Final Score Music New Trier High School Stage Crew Juli Waker at Drury Lane Oakbrook Theatre JR Lederle at Steppenwolf Theatre Patrick Radatz at Midwest Event Solutions Jason Haag at Technotrix Charlotte Rathke TimeLine Theatre 2 InFusion Theatre Co.
BIOGR APHIES Amy Dellagiarino (Sally December) is a recent transplant from the Big Apple and is thrilled to be working with InFusion Theatre Company! Off B’way: Much Ado About Nothing (Hero). Other NY credits: Company (Amy); The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (Monica). Washington DC: The Country Club (Froggy); Annie (Lily St. Regis). BFA from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts with The Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute. Many thanks to the incredible cast, crew, and production team as well as family, friends, teachers, co-workers, and anyone who’s ever been remotely nice to me in passing. Evan Lee (Master Leroy, Others) is incredibly thrilled to be a part of this amazing production with InFusion Theatre. In 2007 Evan earned a BFA in Theatre from Auburn University. As soon as he graduated, he came straight to Chicago to start his career. He has been heavily involved with The Gift Theatre’s productions of The Last Days Of Judas Iscariot, Streamers, Talk Radio, and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. He has also worked with The Griffin Theatre in their production of The Hostage. While living in Chicago, Evan has been involved with dance as well. He has worked with The Karim Tonsy Egyptian Physical Dance Theatre in their production of RESET. Evan would like to thank the cast, crew, director, family and friends for all of their support. Thank you, and enjoy the show. OR ELSE! :-) Christine Lin (Dewdrop) Christine loves every minute working with the fantastic InFusion Theatre and this hot, hilarious, and badass cast. Prior to kicking butt as Dew do, she danced with death in Iphigenia...(A Rave Fable) at Halcyon Theatre, where she’s a company member.
Christine performs next - in Mandarin! - at the Goodman Theatre in David Henry Hwang’s world premiere of Chinglish. She’s also worked with Silk Road Theatre Project, SiNNERMAN Ensemble, and is an ensemble member of Asian-American sketch comedy group Stir-Friday Night! She graduated from Steppenwolf West’s Ensemble Intensive Program, Second City Training Center’s Improv Conservatory, and Duke University’s Pratt School of Engineering. A special thank you to Grossman & Jack, Paonessa Talent and YOU for supporting the performing arts! Love and gratitude to Mom and Dad, fantastically supportive friends, and the Essential Happy Cat, Cary Zach Livingston (Longtooth, Others, Male Understudy) is an actor, musician, martial artist and up-and-coming fight choreographer for stage and screen. He is proud to join an amazing cast and crew to bring this unique show to the stage in Chicago. Zach has recently been seen in A Klingon Christmas Carol and Masterworks: The Bad Art Plays with Commedia Beauregard, where he is a company member. This summer he will be performing in Romeo & Juliet with First Folio Theatre, and later this year he will be reprising his role in this year’s edition of A Klingon Christmas Carol, as well as stepping into the position of fight choreographer for that production. Zach is from Virginia and can’t dig on how flat the midwest is, but he’s still infinitely grateful to be part of such an amazing theatre and performance community, which includes great audiences. Shout-out to Jesse for the right push at the right time. Jon McGilberry (Boss 2K / Marcus) is thrilled to be working with InFusion and such a group of awesome people on this project. Originally from St. Louis, Jon moved to Chicago to study theater InFusion Theatre Co. 3
B I O G R A P H I E S ( c o n t .) and film at Act One Studios Conservatory. He was worked with TimeLine Theatre, 16th Street Theatre in Berwyn, and the St. Louis Shakespeare Company. He would like to thank his family, friends, and fellow actors for the love. Glenn Stanton (Grandmaster Mack, Others) is excited to make his InFusion debut and be a part of this full throttle production. Glenn was recently seen in SS! Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Other Chicago credits include: Apple Tree (Illinois Theater Center), Christmas Carol, Pumpboys and Dinettes (Metropolis), Ghosts of Treasure Island (Adventure Stage Chicago), Once on This Island (Porchlight), to name a few. He would like to thank his love, his family and his savior. Enjoy the show my funny little rabbits. Megan Tabaque (Longtooth, Others, Female Understudy) Megan is a young theatre artist and writer from Tampa, FL. She holds B.A. in Theatre Arts and Literature from Florida State University and completed an internship with the Playwrights’ Center in Minneapolis, MN. Most recently, she was seen playing La Muerte Negra in Tympanic Theatre Company’s premiere of El Murete Del Maestro at the Side Project Theatre. Megan also had her 10 minute play The Vegetarian and her Dead Daddy featured in The Courier 12 Collective’s fall festival. Paul Tadalan (Pastor, Others) is a former U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant and now a student at DePaul University. Excited to be working with InFusion Theatre Co. at the Wit, some past productions have been M. Butterfly (Song), Shakespeare’s The Tempest (Trinculo), Fiddler on the Roof 4 InFusion Theatre Co.
(Perchik), and Les Ghouls de Colour (Red). Special thanks to his family for always being there for him, his friends and NBRHD for helping him laugh through the tough times, and the cast and production crew of Soul Samurai for making this such a great experience. “Support the Troops.” Steve Thomas (Cert) only wishes he were this badass in real life. He’s a white boy with an acting degree from Indiana University. Since he graduated two years ago he’s been seen as Malcolm in Macbeth (Muse of Fire), Mr President in The Somewhat Gelatinous B.L.O.B. from Beyond the Grave (and also the grave’s in outer space) with Corn Productions, and as Pinocchio with Chicago Kids Company. Other favorite projects include A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Reefer Madness, Mr Marmalade, Measure for Measure, and Metamorphoses. Lots of M’s. In addition to learning to love Kanye West, Steve now loves sword-fighting and bicycle kicks. Apologies to Mom, who will surely be terrified. Anji White (Angela, Others) attends Columbia College achieving her goal in obtaining a degree in acting. She has done short films such as Hell, the King the playing role of Claudious, and also Quintessence as Seleste. Also cast in The Colored Museum at Columbia as well as having the opportunity to be understudy with Congo Square Theatre Ensemble and Goodman Theatre in Trinity River Plays. She is grateful to be given another opportunity to work on Soul Samurai with a diverse, talented and fun cast/crew. She would like to thank her support group which includes her parents and close friends, and above all thanking God because without Him she wouldn’t be living out her dream. Moshi Moshi everyone enjoy the show! Jesse Livingston (The DJ) has had a passion for HipHop Culture since a lifealtering visit to NYC in 1983 when trains
B I O G R A P H I E S ( c o n t .) were still covered in graffiti. He’s been DJ’ing, rhyming, producing, and recording HipHop music since 1992. He moved to Chicago in 1998 to pursue a degree in Audio Engineering at Columbia College, graduating in 2003. Since then, he’s become a DJ/Music Production and Rap instructor with a program called Connect Force based in Uptown’s non-profit safe space, Alternatives, formerly Lakeside Theatre. He’s also established himself as a go-to DJ for Chicago-land break-dance events and helped the Peoples DJ collective throw jams to raise money for many non-profit, social-justice based organizations. His self-produced solo MC album, Jezi “All-Elemental”, is set to be released in spring/summer of 2011. Qui Nguyen (Playwright) is originally from Arkansas and is is a playwright, fight choreographer, and Co-Artistic Director of the OBIE Award winning geek theatre company, Vampire Cowboys, of New York City. His scripts include Bike Wreck (Youngblood/Ensemble Studio Theatre); Aliens Versus Cheerleaders (Keen Teens); Trial By Water (Ma-Yi Theater/Queens Theatre in the Park); Belted Blue, Bleeding Yellow (Pantaglieze Theatre); the hip-hop musical Krunk Fu Battle Battle (premiering this May in Los Angeles at East West Players); and the critically acclaimed Vampire Cowboys productions of Soul Samurai; Alice in Slasherland; Fight Girl Battle World; Men of Steel; Living Dead in Denmark; Stained Glass Ugly; A Beginner’s Guide to Deicide; Vampire Cowboy Trilogy; and The Inexplicable Redemption of Agent G. His plays have been published by Broadway Play Publishing, Playscripts.com, and can be found in the anthologies, SAVAGE STAGE and PLAYS & PLAYWRIGHTS 2005. Qui is a proud resident playwright of New Dramatists, a co-director of the Ma-Yi Writers Lab, a member of Ensemble Studio Theatre, an alumnus of Youngblood, an advanced actor/combatant with the Society of American Fight Directors, and the stage combat instructor for Columbia University. Mitch Golob (Director/Artistic Director) has directed InFusion Theatre’s prior productions: the Midwest premieres of Rhymes With Evil and Intrigue With Faye, the world premieres of Ghostbox by Randall Colburn
and Créole (nominated for 5 Black Theatre Alliance Awards), and the U.S. premiere of The Last Supper. Prior to founding InFusion, Mitch has worked as a director in Chicago and across the country for more than a decade. Some of his directing projects include 8 By Tenn at Hartford Stage Company, working with Tony Award Winners Elizabeth Ashley and Amanda Plummer. He directed the U.S. premiere of Jump to Cow Heaven at Profiles Theatre, And Then They Came For Me at Apple Tree Theatre, and was Associate Director of the award winning world premiere of Hannah & Martin at TimeLine Theatre. He was also a member of Naked Eye Theatre Company, where directing projects included the Jeff Award winning production of Waving Goodbye in a co-production with Steppenwolf. He has also directed at Pegasus Players, Stage Left Theatre, and Chicago Dramatists. Constant love to Amber, Macy & Zach who give him the energy to go make art. Geoff Coates (Fight Director) is thrilled to be working with InFusion Theatre for the first time. As a freelance Fight Director with over 40 productions and 20 years of experience designing violence for Chicago theaters, he is honored to be the recipient of four Joseph Jefferson Awards and two After Dark awards for Outstanding Achievement in Fight Choreography. Geoff strives to explore the causality of conflict, and express it through dynamic and realistic physical action, cunning and inventive spectacle, and a desire to entertain and educate. Charlie Cascino (Assistant Fight Director) is thrilled to be working with InFusion on this beautiful piece of insanity. A graduate of Columbia College Chicago, she has been a fight director and actor in Chicago theatre for the past ten years. Her work, both on stage and off, was most recently seen in AstonRep’s production of Joe Orton’s The Erpingham Camp in the winter of 2010. She has also worked as a fight director and actor for other Chicago companies including Love’s Labors Lost and Robyn Hood at The Oak Park Festival Theatre, Street Theatre at Nothing Without a Company, as well as assisting with productions Othello and A Streetcar Named Desire at The Writers Theatre of Glencoe, The Mask InFusion Theatre Co. 5
B I O G R A P H I E S ( c o n t .) of Zorro at Lifeline, Fatboy at The Red Orchid and several others. She can be seen this summer as Doll Tearsheet in OFPT’s new adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Henry IV. Charlie would like to thank her family and friends for their patience, their understanding, and their perpetual love and support. Liviu Pasare (Video Designer) is an artist who focuses in new media and technology. He has been collaborating with various artists, theaters and performers as a video designer, cinematographer, editor, animator and has produced, directed and performed for live multimedia experiences. His list of works include projects with Collaboraction, Redmoon, The Gift Theater, Victory Gardens Theater, Fox Valley Repertory, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Porchlight Musical Theatre, Luftwerk, Maria Marshall, Takao Kawaguchi, Otto, Tiesto, ATB, Carl Cox, Aly and Fila. Current involvements including Blue Man Group, Chicago Children’s Theatre, Urban Theater, Chicago Robotic Theater. He can be contacted by visiting www.stoptime341.com. David Ferguson (Scenic Designer) hails from Texas where he holds a Masters degree in totally awesome kids named Megan and Eliot. Additionally Dave received his PHD in most beautiful wife ever from The University of Man Am I a Lucky Dog. Charles Cooper (Lighting Designer) returns to InFusion where he previously designed Rhymes With Evil, Creole, and The Last Supper. Recent credits include Around The World In 80 Days at Indiana Repertory Theatre; Do The Hustle, Old Glory, As You Like It, Another Part of The Forest, Seagull and The Doctor’s Dilemma at Writers’ Theatre; Curtains at Drury Lane Oakbrook; Of Mice And Men and First Look Repertory of New Work at Steppenwolf Theatre; Blue Door; The Defiant Muse, The Court Marshal at Fort Devens at Victory Gardens; Eclipsed, She Stoops to Conquer and The Chalk Garden at Northlight; To Master The Art, All My Sons, and Weekend at TimeLine Theatre (Associate Artist); Theives Like Us for The House Theatre; Welcome to Arroyos, True West and Top Dog/Underdog, Speech and Debate, Half of Plenty, Heritage and Orpheus Descending at American Theater 6 InFusion Theatre Co.
Company; Well, and The Overwhelming at the Next Theatre. Charles has received five Jeff nominations and two After Dark Awards. Current and upcoming projects include Tree for Victory Gardens, Around The World In 80 Days and Bad Dates at Fox Valley Repertory, and A Few Good Men at Peninsula Players. Please visit his Web site at cooperportfolio.com. Jessica Carson (Assistant Lighting Designer) recently graduated from Virginia Tech with her MFA in lighting. This is her second show with Infusion and her upteenth assisting Charlie. Congrats to the cast and crew! [rawr] Miles Polaski (Sound Designer) is a sound designer, composer and musician in Chicago. He has been a company member, sound designer and music curator with 2nd Story for 4 seasons. In 2010 Miles received a Jeff Award for his sound design on Mouse in a Jar with Red Tape Theatre. Miles has had the pleasure of working with many Chicago theatre companies. Favorite past credits include One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest - The Gift Theatre; Uncle Vanya - TUTA;Cadillac - Chicago Dramatists; A Christmas Story - Noble Fool; Talk Radio - The Gift Theatre;Dr. Egg - Redmoon; The Hairy Ape - The Hypocrites/Goodman Theatre; Diversey Harbor - Theatre Seven; Bloody Bess - Backstage Theatre; and Of Mice and Men - Steppenwolf Theatre. Rachel M. Sypniewski (Costume Designer) is thankful to be part of this talented production team and to be given the opportunity to work with such an amazing cast. Ms. Sypniewski has designed well over 70 shows in the Chicago storefront theatre community, some of her favorites include, Frankenstein in Love with Will Act For Food, Hey! Dancin’! with the Factory, The Starving Class with New Leaf, Resort 76 with Infamous Commonwealth, and A Passage to India with Vitalist. She is a company member of Infamous Commonwealth, an artistic associate with New Leaf Theatre, and a stage manager for Quade Productions. Her recent and upcoming designs include Easy Six with the Factory, Life is a Dream with Vitalist, and Lighthouse Keeping with New Leaf. She hopes you enjoy this amazing production and thanks you
B I O G R A P H I E S ( c o n t .) for your continued support of the arts in Chicago. Much love to Robb and the cats. Joy Dennis (Props, Mask, and Puppetry Designer) is an experienced puppeteer and props designer. She worked as a manager of Columbia College’s Spectacle Build Shop for four years creating large puppets, props, masks, and costume elements for special events. Miss Dennis has also worked with multiple small theater companies including the Incurable Theater and VonOrthal Puppets. Joy attended Columbia College Chicago for four years, and graduated with honors and a Bachelor of Arts. Maria Gerbino (Production Manager) is delighted to be working with InFusion Theatre Company on Soul Samurai. Her recent credits include Dead Pile with XIII Pocket Theatre Company and Feet of Clay with LastMatch Theatre Company. She is currently working as the Production Management Apprentice at Steppenwolf Theatre. Tara Malpass (Stage Manager) is very happy to be working on her 5th InFusion show, where has SM’d Rhymes With Evil, Intrigue With Faye, Creole and The Last Supper. Recent works include That Was Then with Seanachai Theatre Company, Redeemers with New Leaf Theatre, The Wedding Singer, A Perfect Wedding, Escanaba In Love, Boy and Tent Meeting with Circle Theatre, and Orange Flower Water with Backstage Theatre Company. She has also had the
pleasure work working with Sinnerman, The Side Project and Eclipse Theatre Ensemble. Tara is a Company Member with InFusion and Circle Theatre. Thanks to Mike for being awesome! Jason Crutchfield (Assistant Stage Manager) is thrilled to be working with Infusion Theatre again, where he is also a company member. Recent Chicago stage management credits include Ghostbox and Rhymes With Evil (also with InFusion), Drum Circle Pandora with Quest Theatre Ensemble, and Lights Out Theatre Company’s inaugural production One Night Stand. Jason is originally from Baltimore, Md, where he worked with numerous companies including Baltimore Shakespeare Festival and Centerstage. He holds a B.S. in Theatre from Towson University and if he had a website, this is where he would plug it. Adina Lee Weinig (Technical Director) received her B.A. in technical theatre and design from the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay. She has spent the last four summers as the Master Carpenter for Peninsula Players in Door County, WI. Before her recent move to Chicago, Adina worked as the shop supervisor at Saint Norbert College in DePere, WI. Recent credits: Technical Director Church/Pullman, WA (Red Tape), Carpenter Woyzeck/Pony (Hypocrites/About Face). She is currently working as a carpenter at Court Theatre and Means of Production.
A B O U T I N F U S I O N T H E AT R E C O M PA N Y InFusion Theatre Company’s mission is to seek out new plays and organically “infuse” them with other elements of entertainment such as music, dance, and film. We strive to create dynamic performances by combining different forms of entertainment that will result in both exciting and thought-provoking work. We focus on giving voice to new works, as well as looking at older works in a new way. InFusion Theatre Company bridges the gap between socially relevant and “consumer friendly” theatre. The goal is to use its mixed-media focus to reach out to people who may think theatre is academic, high-brow, too expensive, or boring. InFusion’s goal is to show these individuals how exhilarating and accessible a play can be. Our productions are targeted at the entire community, but we concentrate on attracting Young Adults in their 20’s & 30’s, many of whom are infrequent theatre-goers. We hope to captivate this new audience in addition to preserving our traditional audience by making each of our plays an accessible and exciting alternative to going to the movies or watching television. InFusion Theatre Co. 7
A B O U T I N F U S I O N T H E AT R E C O M PA N Y ( c o n t .) We seek out plays, by both emerging and established playwrights, that would be enhanced by infusing other media into a production – but with the understanding that we are not trying to impose any artificial elements. We look to further develop and expound upon the themes, ideas, and story already inherent in a specific work. We focus on producing world or regional premieres, but will consider previously produced plays if their story can be told with an innovative and exciting approach. Theatre is one of the few truly interactive forms of entertainment, and we hope our approach will allow us to connect with our audiences in a very real way. Artistic Director.......................................................................................................................Mitch Golob Company Member.................................................................................................................Jamie Bragg Company Member.......................................................................................................Jason Crutchfield Company Member..............................................................................................................James Gibson Company Member................................................................................................................Tara Malpass Company Member.................................................................................................. Bridgette O’Connor Board President.................................................................................................................Jeffrey A. Brand Board Member................................................................................................................Winston Awadzi Board Member..................................................................................................................... Tanya Burnell Board Member..................................................................................................................... Amber Golob Board Member................................................................................................................... Rodrigo Lopez Board Member.............................................................................................................Allison McDonald Board Member................................................................................................................Kimberly Breese Board Member.......................................................................................................................... .Jeff Cheng Board Member.........................................................................................................Steven Kemmerling Board Member...................................................................................................................... Rahul Sekhar
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OUR SUPPORTERS Titanium Member ($1000+) Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. Platinum Member ($500 – $999) Blum-Kovler Foundation Clay & Kelly Drury Sandy Golob Derek & Renae Mauser Gold Member ($250 – $499) David Antler Mike & Laura Gogis Bruce Golob & Jean Freeman Donagh & Amy Herlihy Steve & Ruth Kent Doug & Judy McDonald Jill & Ron Rohde Bill Vellon &Sara Stotts Silver Member ($100 – $249) John & Jacqueline Berry Jason Bohan Anthony Broglio Adam & Jean Clement Jeff Davis Larry Diskin & Christina Van Pelt Dana Dubriwny Dorey Edinger Nick & Kari Galassi Marsha Chernoff Golob David & Dana Henderson Damien & Lori Ihrig Doug & Grace James Jenna Krumpfes Thomas Lavallee & Dr. Renee Scola Rodrigo Lopez & Rebecca Pries Connie Mauser
James & Amber McGrogan Ron & Deanne Mirr Rob & Danielle Mohn George & Lara Moynihan Brian & Patty Murphy John & JoJo Neumann Matt Post Keith Rudman Tom & Cindy Scarlett Graham M. Schena Charles & Jo Shomo Lisa Spievak Matthew Smith Allon Tatarka Lisa Tharpe Erin Wenzel Sharon Zweigbaum Bronze Member (Under $100) Sarah Ailey John Ashenden & Maureen Moran Igor Ayzman Seth & Abbey Baker Diane Baia Andy Baldeschwiler Matthew & Michelle Bloom Monica Brand & Jordan Engle Lori Clark Spencer Cohn Marta & Dennis DeCapri Andy & Fran Denekas Karen Eddinger Karyn Doerfler Debbie Brand & Michael Musante Sean & Katie Burke Daniel Close Brian & Lindsay Corby Mr. & Mrs. Robert Fleetwood Dan & Megan Floyd Quin Frazer Sandra Greenham
David & Rachael Hoffman Bill Hyland Alan Iovine & Andrea Dobson Jeremy & Heather Jackson Ross & Ximen Januszyk Sarah B. Johnson Todd Katter Dan & Melissa Kinzler Tobin Knight & Shea Walsh Cedric & Juliette Kohler Allen & Beth Laufenberg Scott Lehman Margaret Lewis Alex Levy Susan Lieberman & Jim Stoller Don, Marilynn & Joe Lystad Bhaskar Manda Micah & Shari Marcus Matthew McLeod Lorraine McGregor Vanessa & Jay Menton Maia Mosillo & Pat Wagner Alan & Debra Rosenberg Ronald & Rosemarie O’Connor Marion Orgel Mike & Amy Phillips Troy Piper Jonathan & Mandee Polonsky Adam Pries Don & Paula Render Elizabeth Sanders Nick Scarlett Jesse & Stacy Simon Ed Smaron Megan Smith Rob Smith & Kelly Hawkins Smith Caryl Morris Steinberg Bob & Molly Stine Charles & Sylvia Traeger Jamie & Jessica Turner Krissy Vanderwarker John & Lisa Wilson
Special thanks to the following restaurants for their support and generosity throughout of 2010-2011 Season
Cooper’s Dee’s Mandarin Restaurant 1232 W. Belmont Avenue 1114 W. Armitage Avenue Chicago, IL 60657 Chicago IL 60614
Cafe Luigi Pizza 2548 N. Clark Street Chicago, IL 60614 InFusion Theatre Co. 9
MISSION : SMART ART
Theater Wit dedicates itself to producing plays that address contemporary issues with humor and intelligence. With groundbreaking new plays and classic works, Theater Wit seeks to engage its audiences with wit and wisdom. Theater Wit recently finished a $1.3 million renovation on the old Bailiwick Arts Center. It will be home to Theater Wit, resident companies, and numerous visiting artists, creating a welcoming and professional home for the neighborhood to experience Chicago’s diversely talented theater scene.
G E T A F L E X PA S S
e H e re !!
m Yo u r N a
To take full advantage of all the productions and companies in the space, you can purchase a FLEX PASS for any and all productions in the building. You can use it to purchase online or at the box office. One pass will let you see up to 10 shows at Theater Wit. Bring a date to 5 shows or a crowd of 10 to one show—it’s up to you. Make sure you are on our mailing list to get this great ticket offer for $205—a savings of up to 35% off. Call our box office at 773-975-8150 for details or visit us online at theaterwit.org.
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R E S I D E N T A N D V I S ITI N G S H OWS TH I S S E A S O N AT TH E ATE R W IT
Stage Left Theatre Enemy of the People February 25 - April 3
InFusion Theatre Soul Samurai April 25 – June 5
Theater Wit This February 25 - April 23
Griffin Theatre No More Dead Dogs April 28 - June 19
Route 66 Theatre Ensemble A Twist of Water February 17 – March 27
Teatro Vista Freedom, NY May 7 - June 12
Bohemian Theatre Ensemble Dirty Blonde April 1 – May 1
Stage Left LeapFest June
Call the Theater Wit Box Office for tickets 773-975-8150 or visit us online at theaterwit.org T H E AT E R W I T S TA F F Jeremy Wechsler....................................................................................................Artistic Director David Wechsler............................................................................................... Company Manager Mercedes Rohlfs....................................................................................................... Grant Director Nadia Garofalo, Mikey Laird......................................................................................... Box Office Jay Kelly, L.C. Williams & Assocs......................................................................... Press Relations Michelle D. Miller and John D. Neumann, Jones Day................................................... Legal Richard Kasemsarn........................................................................................................... Architect David Trent Zilmer..........................................................................................General Contractor
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Kathryn Stieber................................................................... President Paul Danao..................................................................Vice-President Charles Hornewer.............................................................. Treasurer Steve Owen.......................................................................... Secretary Todd Goldberg Ashley Nelson Neal Smyth Bruce Wechsler
With so much going on at Theater Wit, we recommend you get our e-newsletter to keep up. Get updated news on our resident companies, pre-production insights, interviews and photos. You can also be our bestest ever e-pals by visting us at facebook.com/theaterwit. Fill out a mailing list insert and give to any bartender, usher or house manager to get a free piece of chocolate, or sign up online at theaterwit.org/join. InFusion Theatre Co. 11
WitRESIDENCE
Providing a home to Chicago’s Theaters Each season, Theater WIt offers its space to one or more companies to produce in year round. The WitRESIDENCE program combines the principles of a cooperative and a traditional rental house to create a more cohesive, professional, and efficient nonprofit environment. In its facility, Theater Wit will play host to other Chicago theater companies on a minimum two-year basis. The resident companies will volunteer their time for space maintenance, share audience development initiatives, and gain a home under one roof. Meet our resident companies! B O H E M I A N T H E AT R E E N S E M B L E BoHo Theatre’s mission is to create theatre that incorporates the arts as a whole — Art for art’s sake. BoHo’s vision is to challenge convention through literary originality and eclectic expression while fostering an everevolving artistic environment in which people are inspired to learn, think, dream, and feel. To teach others and ourselves how to expand, create, and present art through theatre while reveling not only in the process, but also in the journey. BoHo’s season is chosen to highlight and explore the four bohemian pillars of Truth, Beauty, Freedom, and Love. Four shows, four pillars (and maybe a holiday musical thrown in for good measure!) S TAG E L E F T T H E AT R E Stage Left Theatre’s mission is to develop and produce plays that inspire debate about political and social topics. We focus on presenting complicated issues in the context of an engaging story, without prescribing a single point of view. We attempt to spark respectful debate about the issues most relevant to our community, and activate audiences to continue those conversations beyond the walls of the theatre. Stage Left also works to inspire playwrights to address political and social themes through our Downstage Left new work development program.
Subscribe to our e-newsletter Keep updated on featured shows and ticket giveaways in the Milwaukee, Chicago, and Madison areas. Sign up @ www.footlights.com/newsletter 12 InFusion Theatre Co.