The Magnolia Ballet playbill
Welcome From About Face Theatre’s Artistic Director
Welcome to THE MAGNOLIA BALLET and About Face Theatre’s 27th season. We are thrilled to gather with you in our new producing home at The Den.
The experience of working on a new play is filled with a special kind of hope. It starts with a story that needs to be told, becomes a community of people dedicated to telling it, and ultimately expands out to embrace everyone who gathers to listen. Thank you for being here to complete the circle.
Mikael Burke and Terry Guest have been collaborating on this story for a few years and I tell you I was overjoyed that they brought it to About Face Theatre so we could share it with you. THE MAGNOLIA BALLET has caught the attention of producers across the country and received a prestigious Rolling World Premiere from the National New Play Network. That initiative will support multiple productions of the play throughout this year. We’re especially grateful to Bill Simmons of Phoenix Theatre in Indianapolis, Indiana, and Tony Caselli at Williamston Theatre in Williamston, Michigan, who co-produced a development workshop with us last fall to prepare the script for the remarkable road ahead.
In some respects, the return to live production has not been easy. But cracking through discomfort, letting go of old ways, and stepping bravely forward comes with tremendous rewards. This play holds us accountable to the past and points to a better future and I can’t imagine a better offering for the moment we’re in right now.
I want to offer big thanks and congratulations to the wonderfully talented, generous, and innovative company of THE MAGNOLIA BALLET. For each of you gathering to listen, I’m grateful to be fighting for a better future with you.
Megan Carney
About Face Theatre Artistic Director
About Face Theatre
presents
Written by
Terry Guest
Directed by
Mikael Burke
Cast
| Ezekiel “Z” Mitchell VI | Terry Guest |
| Ezekiel Mitchell V | Wardell Julius Clark* |
| Apparition | Sheldon D. Brown* |
| Danny Mitchell | Ben Sulzberger |
| u/s “Z” | Donovan Session |
| u/s Ezekiel V | Elliot Sagay |
| u/s Apparition | Ben Locke |
| u/s Danny | Matthew Thomas Schwartz |
Production Team
| Asst. Director/Dramaturg | Vic Wynter |
| Choreographer | Jenn Freeman | Po’ Chop |
| Violence Designer, Intimacy Co-Designer | Jyreika Guest |
| Intimacy Co-Designer | Kirsten Baity |
| Scenic Designer | Steven Abbott |
| Scenic Art | Altman Art Haus |
| Scenic Overhires | Cajsa Weber Chas Mathieu |
| Lighting Designer | Eric Watkins** |
| Lead Electrician | Ben Carne |
| Lighting Overhires | Garvin Van Dernoot Stephen Melia Kieran O’Connor Becca Venable |
| Score & Sound Design | Brian Grimm |
| Costume Designer | Jos N. Banks |
| Properties Designer | Caitlin McCarthy |
| Technical Director | Becca Venable |
| Stage Manager | Lucy Whipp* |
| Assistant Stage Manager | Cecilia Koloski |
| Poster Photography | Nathanael Filbert Joran Quinten |
| AFT Production Manager | Audrey Kleine |
| AFT Managing Director | Logan Jones* |
| AFT Artistic Director | Megan Carney |
Musicians
| Vocals, Kamele ngoni | Tani Diakite |
| Jembe | Djam Vivie, Paddy Cassidy |
| Drum Set | Eric Harland, Clyde Stubblefield |
| Cello, Bass Guitar, Pipa lute, Piano, Organ, Music Production |
Brian Grimm |
*Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers
**Member of United Scenic Artists, local 829 of the IATSE
Special Thanks
About Face Theatre extends a special thank you to Regina Garcia, for scenic design guidance; Tani Diakite, Djam Vivie & Paddy Cassidy, for West African music guidance and performance; and Heather Gilbert, Marc Chevalier, and Amy Peter.
Production Sponsors
Dwight A. McBride, PhD
Venturous Theater Fund of the Tides Foundation
The Magnolia Ballet was first produced as a National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere by Pheonix Theater (Indiana), Williamston Theater (Michigan), and Alleyway Theater (New York). For more information, please visit nnpn.org.
Performer Bios
SHELDON D. BROWN (he/him): Apparition
Sheldon is overjoyed to return to About Face where he previously performed in THIS BITTER EARTH and TIME IS ON OUR SIDE. His other credits include the TRAGEDY OF OTHELLO THE MOOR OF VENICE, OEDIPUS REX, and MAN IN THE RING (Court Theatre); A WONDER IN MY SOUL (Victory Gardens Theatre), THE SHIPMENT (Red Tape Theatre); 1980 (Jackalope Theatre) and more. He also has numerous credits in Boston including THE GRAND INQUISITOR, directed by Peter Brook through ArtsEmerson. His film/screenwriting credits include CICADA (Spirit Award Nominated, Best First Screenplay), THE CANYONLANDS, and MY NAME IS ALEX. Sheldon is also a queer educator having taught with Steppenwolf, Northlight Theatre, and The League of Chicago Theatres. Sheldon received his BFA in Acting from Emerson College and is a proud Artistic Associate at About Face!
WARDELL JULIUS CLARK (he/him): Ezekial Mitchell V
Wardell is an award-winning actor, director, producer, and activist who hails from Fairfield, Alabama, but now calls Chicago home. He earned his BFA from The Theatre School at DePaul University. Wardell is a Company Member with TimeLine Theatre. He is also an Ensemble Member at Sideshow Theatre. Select acting credits include GEM OF THE OCEAN (Goodman Theatre), FLYIN’ WEST (American Blues), SUDDENLY LAST SUMMER (Raven), SILENT SKY (First Folio), OTHELLO (Theater at Monmouth), and THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JAMES (Victory Gardens). His television and film credits include PROVEN INNOCENT, SHAMELESS, and CHICAGO FIRE seasons 1 & 4. Wardell directed the world premieres of BLACK MOON LILITH, A GHOST IN SATIN, and DON’T GET GOT last summer as part of the Solo Play Festival Celebrating the Black Radical Imagination at Williamstown Theatre Festival. Select chicago directing credits include KILL MOVE PARADISE (Timeline Theatre – 2020 Jeff Award Winner – Best Director, large), SHEEPDOG (Shattered Globe), HIS SHADOW (16th Street), THE SHIPMENT (Red Tape), DUTCH MASTERS (Jackalope), THE WATSONS GO TO BIRMINGHAM -1963 (Chicago Children’s Theatre), INSURRECTION: HOLDING HISTORY (Stage Left). Wardell was the Newcity Magazine 2020 – Player of the Moment, and a recipient of the 2021 3Arts Foundation Make A Wave grant! wardelljuliusclark.com
TERRY GUEST (he/him): Ezekial “Z” Mitchell VI
Terry Guest is a Chicago based playwright, actor and teaching artist. He wrote and starred in AT THE WAKE OF A DEAD DRAG QUEEN, which was the recipient of the 2018 Out Front Spectrum Series Grant and had its World Premiere in Chicago at The Story Theatre (directed by Mikael Burke). Other work includes: A GHOST IN SATIN (The Williamstown Theatre Festival, directed by Wardell Julius Clark), MARIE ANTIONETTE AND THE MAGICAL NEGROS (The Story Theatre), THE MADNESS OF MARY TODD (Goodman Theatre Playwrights Unit Commission), MICHAEL JACKSON AND THE DEVIL’S BOOK (Jackalope) and ANDY WARHOL PRESENTS: THE COCAINE PLAY. More in for at terrycguest.com
Ben F. Locke (he/she/they): u/s Apparition
Ben is an actor, director and playwright who is happy to make his About Face Theatre debut! He has worked with theatres such as Steppenwolf, Court, Drury Lane, 16th Street, Broken Nose and more. He believes in the power of storytelling and the necessity of our people telling our stories.He is continually grateful for all the opportunities and strives to create opportunities for those often overlooked. His plays can be found at The New Play Exchange.
ELLIOT SAGAY (he/him): u/s Ezekiel V
Elliot is thrilled to be working on this beautiful new play at About Face. Recent Chicago acting credits: SEAN’S STORY (AMTP), SEXUALITY OUT LOUD (ICAH), WANDER: LINCOLN SQUARE (Chicago Immersive). Elliot is also an avid playwright. His most recent play, THE LAST WHITE RHINOCEROS, received a workshop/reading in the 2019 Agnes Nixon Play Festival. Beyond the arts, he enjoys cooking and soccer. B.A. Northwestern University
Donovan Session (he/him): u/s Ezekial “Z” Mitchell VI
Donovan is excited to be working with About Face Theatre! Previous theatre credits include AT THE WAKE OF A DEAD DRAG QUEEN (Urbanite Theatre), KILL MOVE PARADISE (Timeline Theatre), SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION, SURELY GOODNESS AND MERCY (Redtwist Theatre), EVERYBODY (Brown Bag Theatre), QUEER EYE THE MUSICAL PARODY (Playground Theatre). Film credits: WORK IN PROGRESS (Showtime). He would like to thank Terry for writing another spectacular play and About Face for their consideration. He is represented by DDO Talent Agency.
Matthew Thomas Schwartz (he/they): u/s Danny Mitchell
Matthew is very excited and honored to be a part of this production. Matthew is a recent graduate from DePaul University, receiving a BFA in Acting. Matthew would like to thank his family, friends, and the entire production team for all their amazing support and guidance through his Chicago theatre debut. Matthew is currently represented by DDO Chicago.
BEN SULZBERGER (he/him): Danny Mitchell
Ben is thrilled to be making his Chicago theatre debut in THE MAGNOLIA BALLET. He graduated from the University of Iowa in 2020 with a degree in theatre arts and cinema. Some of his favorite roles have included Christopher in THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME, Flute in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM and Jason in SWEAT.
Production Bios
Steven Abbott (he/him): Scenic Designer
Steven is a Chicago based scenic designer and artist. He is originally from Louisville, Kentucky, where he designed and painted for storefront and community theaters. Scenic Design credits include A DYBBUK, or BETWEEN TWO WORLDS (DePaul University), POLAROID STORIES (DePaul University), Assistant Scenic Designer for FUR (New York Theatre Workshop), HANSEL AND GRETAL (DePaul Opera), and Resident Scenic Designer for New Albany Riverstage in 2017. Other credits include Paint Lead for RELENTLESS (TimeLine), SPRING AWAKENING (Porchlight), WHO’S HOLIDAY (Theater Wit), PASSAGE (Remy Bumppo), and Paint Charge for KING LEAR (Redtwist), THE RIVER (BoHo Theatre). He graduated with a BFA in Scenic Design from The Theatre School at DePaul University in 2020.
Altman Art Haus (Altman, Huffman, Mummert, Abbott): Scenic Art
Altman Art Haus is a collective of seasoned theatrical scenic artists making scenery under the direction of founder, Emily Altman. AAH is credited with 2021-2022 productions for House Theatre, Porchlight, Remy Bumppo, Wit, About Face Theatre, as well as many other projects including installations at Chicago Botanical Gardens, Jamie Allan’s MAGIC IMMERSIVE, and Timeline Theatre’s production of RELENTLESS, now playing at the Goodman Theatre. All Altman Art Haus painters want to extend their deepest gratitude, both to the companies that trust them with their story environments, and the audiences commitment to experiencing them year in and year out. The Chicago theatre community loves and appreciates you!
Kirsten Baity (they/them): Co-Intimacy Designer
Kirsten is an intimacy director, performing artist, and playwright based in Chicago and working on a local and national scale. Selected choreography credits include: SUGAR IN OUR WOUNDS (Richmond Triangle Players), AIRLINE HIGHWAY (Illinois Wesleyan University), STONEWALLIN’ (Richmond Triangle Players), RAGE ISN’T FREE: A PARTICIPATORY PLAY (The Youth Empowerment and Performance Project). They have consulted on productions and developed consent-based workshops with The Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health, About Face Theatre, For Youth Inquiry, Life Span, and Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline. Kirsten graduated from Columbia College Chicago summa cum laude and is a proud member of the Intimacy Coordinators of Color cohort. Kirsten is an advocate for creating a culture of consent and harm reduction in every aspect of theatre. They center their work around the joy and liberation of marginalized people. For more info, check out kirstenbaity.com
Jos N. Banks (he/him): Costume Designer
A true renaissance man… Jos N. Banks is a multi- award winning Visual/ Performing Arts Artist, Costume Designer, Stylist & Teaching Artist hailing from Chicago, IL. Tours: International – KINKY BOOTS (Lola), HAIR (Hud), THE COLOR PURPLE (Harpo). Regional: MS. BLAKK FOR PRESIDENT (“Joan Jett Blakk,” Steppenwolf), SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD (Farmers Alley Theatre), WHAT TO SEND UP (Congo Square), DADA WOOF PAPA HOT (About Face Theatre), JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (Paramount Theatre), THE COLOR PURPLE & SMOKEY JOE’S CAFE (Drury Lane Theatre), THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS (Porchlight Music Theatre). Film: “Ocean” in Showtime’s THE CHI, “Dr. Greg Martinson” in Showtime’s WORK IN PROGRESS and Rise Against music video “Make It Stop” (Lead). Nominated Best Costume Designer for the 2012, 2016/17 & 2019 BTAA (Black Theater Alliance Awards). Curator & keynote speaker of his very own Master Class, entitled “#BeFEARLESS w/ Jos N. Banks”. Representation: Paonessa Talent Agency. www.FearlessJos.com // Follow Me: Twitter/JosNBanks Instagram/JosNBanks
MIKAEL BURKE (he/him): Director
Mikael is a Chicago-based director and educator, and About Face Theatre’s Associate Artistic Director. A Princess Grace Award-winner in Theatre and Jeff Award-nominated director, Mikael’s most recently worked with Victory Gardens Theatre, Northlight Theatre, Jackalope Theatre Company, Windy City Playhouse, About Face Theatre, First Floor Theater, American Theatre Company, Chicago Dramatists, and The Story Theatre in Chicago, and regionally with Indiana Repertory Theatre, Asolo Repertory Theatre, Geva Theatre Center, and Phoenix Theatre. For About Face, he has directed KICKBACK, an all-virtual play festival, and THIS BITTER EARTH. Other recent directing credits include the world premiere of THE MAGNOLIA BALLET by Terry Guest; FIREFLIES by Donja R. Love; MRS. HARRISON by R. Eric Thomas; WE ARE CONTINUOUS by Harrison David Rivers; KILL MOVE PARADISE by James Ijames; THE AGITATORS by Mat Smart. mklburke.com
Benjamin Carne (he/him): Lead Electrician
Benjamin is a freelance lighting designer and electrician originally from New Hampshire. Ben’s post-pandemic professional credits include Master Electrician for A RECIPE FOR DISASTER and SONS OF HOLLYWOOD (Windy City Playhouse), SOLARIS (Griffin), LACED (About Face) and THE YEAR OF MAGICAL THINKING (Remy Bumppo). As well as lighting design for NOTES & LETTERS (Underscore Theatre) and HERTHA NOVA (Impostors Theatre). His work has also been seen at Strawdog, Prop Thtr and Jackalope. Ben is a graduate of Columbia College Chicago. A portfolio of his work can be found at: bcarnedesign.com
MEGAN CARNEY (she/her): AFT Artistic Director
Megan is a director, playwright, and teaching artist. Recent Chicago directing credits include THE GULF, 20/20, and TIME IS ON OUR SIDE (About Face), WINTER, GRIZZLY MAMA, Danielle Pinnock’s BODY/COURAGE, AMERICAN WEE PIE, and THE WALLS (Rivendell). Megan has written several plays based on true stories, including WOMEN AT WAR based on 75 interviews with women in the military (Rivendell); OPEN SYSTEMS about the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina (Goodman Theatre); LET THEM EAT CAKE about marriage equality (Dixon Place, NYC); and multiple large ensemble plays with About Face Youth Theatre, which she co-founded. Megan’s work in theatre and community building has been recognized with multiple After Dark Awards, the GLSEN Pathfinder Award, an APA Presidential Citation, induction into Chicago’s LGBT Hall of Fame, and a Rockefeller Foundation MAP Grant. Megan served as the Director of the Gender and Sexuality Center at the University of Illinois at Chicago, where she developed public arts-based programs and led interactive workshops. She is a certified mediator with the Center for Conflict Resolution, earned an MFA in Theatre with a focus on Directing and Public Dialogue from Virginia Tech as well as a BA from Kalamazoo College, where her ideas about art as a tool for social justice and activism began to take shape.
Jenn Freeman | Po’ Chop (she/her): Choreographer
Chicago-based burlesque artist Jenn Freeman, also known as Po’Chop, uses elements of dance, storytelling, and striptease to create performances and inspire students and collaborators across the country. Po’Chop is the creator and author of the blogzine THE BROWN PAGES and has performed at the Brooklyn Museum in Brown Girls Burlesque’s BODYSPEAK and headlined shows in New Orleans, Minneapolis, St. Louis and New York. Po’Chop is a Board Member and Cast Member for JEEZY’S JUKE JOINT, an all-black burlesque revue. Po’Chop performs on Netflix’s EASY (Season 2), appears in music videos for songs by Jamila Woods and Mykele Deville, and creates and performs experimental dance films such as LITANY. Jenn Freeman was recognized as a 2022 United States Artist Fellow; a 2021 Foundation of Contemporary Art Grant for Artist recipient, selected as a 2019-2020 Urban Bush Women Choreographic Fellow and as a 2018 Chicago Dancemakers Lab Artist. Po’Chop was voted #10 Most Influential Burlesque Artist by 21st Century Magazine and was dancer in residence at Rebuild Foundation in 2020.
Brian Grimm (he/him): Sound Designer
Brian is multi-instrumentalist composer and performer who is thrilled to be in Chicago for his first ever collaboration with About Face Theatre! His past productions include collaborations with the Indiana Repertory Theatre (Indianapolis), American Blues Theater (Chicago), Bartell Theater (Madison), NoExit Performance (Indianapolis), aerial dancer Linda DiRaimondo (Madison), and choreographer Koala Yip (Hong Kong). Brian has crafted a thoughtful, highly personalized style which involves “compositions that are both classical and experimental, both disciplined and exploratory” (Isthmus, The Daily Page). Continually searching for layers of depth and meaning, “he becomes so attuned to the rhythm of the scene that his music is another character in the show” (Erin S. Baal, Board of Directors, Strollers Theatre Ltd). Brian would like to give a special thank you to Tani, Djam, & Paddy for their guidance on West African songs and rhythms. For more info on Brian’s music, visit www.grimmusik.com.
Jyreika Guest (she/her): Violence Designer, Intimacy Co-Designer
Jyreika is an actor, dancer, poet, and intimacy director/coordinator based in Chicago, IL. Her philosophy as both an Actor and Intimacy Director is advocating for the culture to change for not only the performers but for the industry of artists as a whole. We’re the theatre-makers of today. We must set the stage outside of the patriarchy and continue to dismantle white supremacy forward. This work ain’t done yet. Chicago credits include LINDIWE U/S (Steppenwolf); FRANKENSTEIN (Remy Bumppo); COLUMBINUS (The Yard Theatre Company); IN THE BLOOD and I SAW MYSELF (Red Tape Theatre); FLY HONEYS SHOW (The Inconvenience Project); THE WIZ (Kokandy Productions); OCTAGON (Jackalope); THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD (Filament Theatre). She is proudly represented by Shirley Hamilton Talent. IG: @jevelyng
LOGAN JONES (he/they): AFT Managing Director
Logan is a Chicago-based artist, administrator, and consultant. He has frequently collaborated with multiple theatre companies while utilizing his artistic and technical skills, organizational capabilities, and highly-collaborative working style. Logan has worked with Ensemble Consulting as Facilitator and Project Manager on various leadership transitions and organizational development projects since 2015. As a stage manager and production manager, he has helmed multiple productions for About Face Theatre, American Theater Company, The House Theatre of Chicago, Windy City Playhouse, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, 13Exp, and the American Music Theatre Project, among others. Logan holds a BA in Theatre and BA in Modern Languages from Kansas State University, a certificate in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in the Workplace from University of South Florida, and is a graduate of the Axelson Center Bootcamp for Nonprofit CEOs at North Park University.
AUDREY KLEINE (she/her): AFT Production Manager
Audrey is a Chicago-based artist and the Operations and Production Manager at About Face Theatre. She moved from Nashville, Tennessee, to Chicago to attend college and received a BA in Theater with a concentration in Stage Management from Columbia College Chicago in 2017. After graduating, she freelanced as an Assistant Stage Manager and Production Assistant for more than a dozen productions at Chicago theaters including Windy City Playhouse, The Goodman, About Face Theatre, Rivendell and more.
Cecilia Koloski (she/her): Assistant Stage Manager
Cecilia is a stage manager in Chicago working on her first production with About Face Theatre! Previous stage management credits include MARY ROSE, DR. HORRIBLE’S SING-A-LONG BLOG, WHISPER HOUSE (Stage Manager, Black Button Eyes Productions), AT THE WAKE OF A DEAD DRAG QUEEN (Assistant Stage Manager, The Story Theatre). She’s also a server, barista, and avid vinyl collector. She thanks her amazing friends and family for their continued support!
CAITLIN McCARTHY (she/her): Properties Designer
Caitlin is a theatre and film artist who works in props, costume, and production design. Chicago credits include: costumes/props for THE GULF (About Face); props for LACED (About Face), IN EVERY GENERATION, QUEEN OF THE NIGHT (Victory Gardens); THE LAST PAIR OF EARLIES, A DOLL’S HOUSE (Raven Theatre); A RECIPE FOR DISASTER, EVERY BRILLIANT THING, THE RECOMMENDATION (Windy City Playhouse). Film: production design THE CARE AND KEEPING OF YOU; production/costume design TRADING HEARTS WITH VICTOR SHAW. Upcoming: production/costume design for short “Clambake;” costume design for short “The Last Stand of Bobby Coe” (Santa Fe Film Festival). caitlinmccarthy.net
Becca Venable (she/her): Technical Director
Becca is a Dallas, Texas native now living in Chicago where she was the technical director at the University of Illinois at Chicago for over three years. In May 2018, she was the recipient of the Michael Merritt Emerging Technical Collaborator Award. Becca also works as a technical director, sound designer, and lighting designer around the city. Some of Becca’s credits include A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD (Chicago Children’s Theatre), THE NUTCRACKER (Ballet Lubbock), THE GULF (About Face Theatre), DYING CITY (The Comrades), AMERICAN HERO (First Floor Theater), and A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE (University of Illinois at Chicago).
ERIC WATKINS (he/him): Lighting Designer
Eric is a lighting designer for theatre, opera, and dance based in Chicago who is thrilled to be making his AFT debut having just returned to town after eight months in staff lighting positions at both the Metropolitan Opera in NYC and the Dallas Opera. CHICAGO (selected): FIREFLIES (Northlight); SUGAR IN OUR WOUNDS and HOODED: or BEING BLACK FOR DUMMIES (First Floor); ETHIOPIANAMERICAN (Definition Theatre); MACHINAL (Greenhouse Theater Center; Jeff nomination); IN THE BLOOD (Red Tape); A SWELL IN THE GROUND (The Gift); THE MAN WHO WAS THURSDAY (Lifeline); SHAKIN’ THE MESS OUTTA MISERY (Pegasus Theatre); PUNK (The New Colony); FISH EYE (Dandelion Theatre) THE SAFE HOUSE (City Lit); BOMBER’S MOON (Williams Street Rep); FALLEN (Mozawa); PORCELAIN (Prologue Theatre; Jeff nomination); THE PROPERTY (Lyric Unlimited) a commissioned klezmer opera. REGIONAL(selected): MRS. HARRISON (Indiana Rep); DON PASQUALE (Fort Worth Opera); SHOW BOAT and FALSTAFF (Dallas Opera); A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE (Opera Santa Barbara and Kentucky Opera); THE RAKE’S PROGRESS (Merola Opera); BARBER OF SEVILLE (Lithuanian National Opera). In Early 2020 he designd a small international tour through Eastern Europe of SONG OF HOME, a new devised work exploring stories of displaced women throughout history. Eric received his MFA from Boston University and is a proud member of USA829, the theatrical design union. www.ericwatkins.com
Lucy Whipp (she/her): Stage Manager
Lucy is a stage manager and production manager working on her first production with About Face Theatre! She is a Governing Ensemble member at The Story Theatre and has worked on productions of LEAVE ME ALONE! and AT THE WAKE OF DEAD DRAG QUEEN, as well as several digital workshops and readings with Chicago playwrights developing new work, and the upcoming production of Terry Guest’s MARIE ANTOINETTE AND THE MAGICAL NEGROES. Other favorite credits include THE YEAR OF MAGICAL THINKING (Remy Bumppo), WOMEN OF SOUL (Mercury Theater), MR. BURNS: A POST-ELECTRIC PLAY, WHO’S HOLIDAY (Theater Wit), PLANO (First Floor Theater, Steppenwolf Lookout), and HOODOO LOVE (Raven Theater). Thanks to her family and to her partner for keeping her grounded, and to Cecilia for being the best teammate a girl could ask for.
Our Mission
About Face Theatre advances LGBTQ+ equity through community building, education, and performance.
Our Vision
About Face Theatre envisions an affirming and equitable world in which all LGBTQ+ individuals are thriving and free from prejudice and discrimination.
Anti-racism Statement
About Face Theatre is dedicated to being an intentionally and increasingly anti-racist organization. Due to the intersectionality of our identities, we understand our work to advance LGBTQ+ equity as directly connected to movements for racial justice.
Thank you to our Generous Funders
For a complete list of our donors and supporters, please visit our Support Us page.
BECOME AN ABOUT FACE SUPPORTER TODAY!
Today, it’s more important than ever to tell bold, powerful LGBTQ+ stories on stage, in our communities, and now online. About Face Theatre’s work is a powerful catalyst for moving forward local and national conversations on sexual and gender identity. During AFT’s 2019-2020 season, we persisted through amazing challenges to continue to connect with our community and continue telling LGBTQ stories.
- Our in-person and virtual productions and educational programming reached almost 4,800 community members
- Our community outreach production adapted its stories for the internet, creating the amazing Power in Pride at Home web series
- AFT’s Youth Ensemble and Youth Task Force produced online cabarets that reached more than twice as many viewers as our in-person events
With your help, we will continue to adapt and expand our impact into Chicago communities and beyond.
