PlayGround Chicago presents Season 1

BEST OF PLAYGROUND-CHICAGO GALA

May 1, 2023 7pm CT

Theater Wit & Simulcast

ACKNOWLEDGING THE LEGACY OF THE LAND WE INHABIT

PlayGround-Chicago acknowledges that we are on the unceded ancestral homeland of the people of the Council of Three Fires, including the Ojibwe, Potawatomi and Odawa, the original inhabitants of the Chicago metropolitan area. As the past and present Indigenous stewards of this land and in accordance with their traditions, the Council of Three Fires have never ceded, lost, nor forgotten their responsibilities as the caretakers of this place, as well as for all peoples who reside in their traditional territory. We recognize the historic injustice of the forcible removal of the Ojibwe, Potawatomi and Odawa people from their ancestral lands, and that we benefit from living and working on their traditional homeland. We wish to pay our respects by acknowledging the Ancestors, Elders and Relatives of the Council of Three Fires Communities and by affirming their sovereign rights as First Peoples. We honor the storytellers of the Ojibwe, Potawatomi and Odawa and are grateful for our ability to share and uplift Indigenous stories and those of other historically marginalized communities. In working with artists and audiences from all over the country, PlayGround-Chicago asks that each member of the PlayGround-Chicago community representing a different geographical space respectfully acknowledge the legacy of the land they inhabit.

To learn about the legacy of the land you inhabit, visit Native-Land.ca | Our home on native land. To read the complete Land Acknowledgment Policy, click here.

PlayGround-Chicago’s Anti-Racist Policy

PlayGround recognizes the impact of racial oppression within society and the American Theater and that we have been complicit in White Supremacy culture. Our goal is to co-create safety for our community by identifying and interrupting instances of racism and all forms of oppression when we witness them, through specific actions rooted in the principles of anti-racism and accessibility. In its endeavor to address the implications of our history, PlayGround is committed to its compliance with the following fundamental rights:

• The recognition of inherent dignity and worth of each human being.
• The recognition of equality of all human beings.
• Recognition of rights of ethnic, racial, cultural, linguistic and religious groups.
• Equality and non-discrimination.

PlayGround’s Anti-Racist Policy applies to: all members of the PlayGround community, including employees, independent contractors, volunteers, audience members, donors, and general members of the community.

To read the complete Anti-Racist Policy, click here.

Search for an Ending
by Karissa Murrell Myers
Directed by Leanna Oliveira
Shawn………..Braedyn Youngberg
Benny………………..Devin Christor
Ginny………………….Millie Brooks
Pam………………….Sheri Flanders

Mosquitos
by Tanuja Devi Jagernauth
Directed by Jim Kleinmann
Grace ……………………….. Jamila Joiner
Bob ……………………….. Dakota Pariset
Mosquito ……………………….. Scott Gryder

Tomato Tattoo
by Rammel Chan
Directed by Devin Christor
Natalie…………….Valerie Butler-Newbern
Richard……………William C. Thompson

.PDF Preferred
byMatt Schutz
Directed by Brooke-Erin Smith
Sissy.………………….Charlotte Harris
Hrai.…………………..Skylar Frishman
Bryan.…………………..Benjamin Kelly

(Un)Drinkable
by Dana Hall
Directed by Jamal Howard
Person 1/Resident 1.………Manny Buckley
Person 2/Resident 2...……..Jamila Joiner
Nannette.……...…………..Lisa McConnell

Funeral for a Friend
by Samuel Kelly Fair Levit
Directed by Brooke-Erin Smith
David…………………Braedyn Youngberg
Lindsey……………………..Ashley Graham
Gerard O’Neill………………….Eric Geller
Earth…………………………Sheri Flanders

Stage Manager: Sarah Gasser

Visual Designer: Colin Johnson

This live stream is produced under a SAG-AFTRA New Media Agreement.

PlayGround is a member of Theatre Bay Area and Theatre Communications Group.

People’s Choice Award

Following tonight’s performance, we invite your participation in this month’s People’s Choice Award. Through the People’s Choice Award, our audience can play a direct impact in furthering the career of a promising new playwright. To vote, make a People’s Choice Award tax-deductible donation on behalf of your favorite play(s)/playwright(s) from the evening. Every donated dollar counts as a vote while directly supporting PlayGround’s award-winning incubator programs.

Cast your vote for your favorite play(s) by making a People’s Choice donation via Zelle (info@playground-sf.org), Venmo (our account ID is @playgroundsf and if they ask for the last four digits of my phone, it’s 8541) or on our website at https://tickets.playground-sf.org/TheatreManager/1/online?donationquick=16 (you can also visit the Monday Night PlayGround page for the People’s Choice donation button). Add a note/memo with your gift to indicate your favorite play(s) or email your selection to boxoffice@playground-sf.org.

At the end of the week, we’ll tally up the top vote-getter and automatic semi-finalist for our season-ending Best of PlayGround. It’s a powerful way of showing your support for new writers and their work, while helping PlayGround continue doing what we do!

THANK YOU TO PLAYGROUND MEMBERS!

We would like to thank our 2022-23 Monday Night PlayGround members for their support: Dr. Elaine Baskin & Kenneth R. Krechmer, Christine Benson, Summer Broyhill, Sidney Glass & Eleanor Clement Glass, Joan Cleveland, Kenneth C. Clews, Paulette Donsavage & Deeje Cooley, Sunny Da Silva, Ann Ehrmann, Victoria Evans Erville, Nieves Feied, Ms. Cherielyn Ferguson, Krystyna Finlayson, Mrs. Mary K. H. Foote, Michael Fried, Lara Gilman, Gail Hillebrand & Hugh Barroll, Roxy Jones, Carol Kearns, Ms. Karen Levesque, Ms. Kristy Lin Billuni, Ms. Vidyut Lingamneni, Jonathan Luskin & Leslie Katz, Dr. Sheila McCormick, Susan McKay, Mr. Scott Mullen, Ms. Vicki Oswald, Michelle Ruscetta, John J. Ruskin, Kathryn Ryan, Mr. Justin David Sikes, Nancy W. Smith, Mary Lou Torre, Lisa A Tromovitch, Andrew Trott, Michael E Tuton, Dr. Eidell Wasserman, Janine Wilburn, Mr. Marvin H Williams

A Monday Night PlayGround membership is a tax-deductible donation and directly supports the more than 400 artists involved in a Monday Night PlayGround season. Members are guaranteed tickets and live online access to twenty-four (24) Monday Night PlayGround performances, weekly, October 10, 2022-May 1, 2023, with extended on-demand viewing through our Monday Night PlayGround Member Library. Click here to become a member.

Biographies

PLAYWRIGHTS

RAMMEL CHAN (Tomato Tattoo), he/him, is a writer and actor based in Chicago. His fiction has appeared in Asimov’s, Riksha, Empyrean Literary Magazine and the Tiger Moth Review. His full-length play “House of the Deaf” was read as part of the Gift Theater’s In The Work series. As an actor, he has performed at Steppenwolf, Goodman Theater, the Second City, Writers Theatre, and the late Victory Gardens, among others. On screen credits include The Red Line, Crisis, Patriot and the indie comedy feature I Used To Go Here. Forthcoming he will be performing in Lucy & Charlie’s Honeymoon at Lookingglass Theater Company.

TANUJA DEVI JAGERNAUTH (Mosquitos), she/her, is an Indo-Caribbean playwright and dramaturg who believes in the necessity of creation during times of destruction. In 2016, she shifted career paths from Traditional East Asian Medicine to theatre in hopes of practicing four frameworks for collective liberation and wellness through theatre: self/community care, harm reduction, trauma awareness, and body positivity. Inspired by healing justice and PIC abolition, Tanuja employs comedy, magical realism, the fantastic and the absurd to raise questions around how we heal and fight back against internal and external oppressions and build a prison- and police-free world..

DANA HALL ((Un)Drinkable), she/her, is a playwright, actor, and mental health therapist. She was awarded Excellence In Playwriting by the Theater Association of NYS (TANYS). Her Edgar Allen Poe adaptation, Under the Floorboards, was named Outstanding Theatrical Adaptation, Gee-Rated Intertainment. She was a finalist with Morecambe Fringe John Clarke Memorial Prize for scriptwriting. Her self-performed/original monologue (Snowglobe) won the Femuscript Monologue Contest. She was the Audience Choice Award winner (Underneath) Eclectic Theatre Patchwork Festival 2021. A Finalist Winner in 2021 Hear Me Out Monologue Competition & Labor Day Festival (Sound Mind). Away from the stage, her best-selling children’s book Beyond Words, which focuses on inclusivity and kindness, won the Mother’s Choice Award in 2020. Her plays have been published with Next Stage Press, Heuer, Stage Plays, & Smith Scripts. New York Journal recognized her as one of their 50 under 50 most influential creators during the pandemic list 2022. She is in the Dramatists Guild Institute’s Certificate of Dramatic Writing program. She is also a member of the Dramatists Guild, League of Professional Theatre Women, Honor Roll!, and International Centre for Female Playwrights. DanaHallCreates.com Instagram: @DanaHallCreates

SAMUEL LEVIT (Funeral for a Friend), he/him, is a Chicago-based writer. At Bennington College and beyond, he studied under playwrights Gary Graves, Sarah Hammond, Sherry Kramer, and Jackie Sibblies Drury, whose work and teachings continue to influence his practice. His dramatic work has been seen and developed in the Apprentice Showcase at Magic Theatre, Bennington College, and at PlayGround-San Francisco and Chicago. He is an actor and writer for “The Experience Corporation,” an upcoming sci-fi-ish audio series by Readymade Utopia.

KARISSA MURRELL MYERS (Search for an Ending), she/her, is a theatre artist based in Chicago, where she works as an actor, playwright, producer, dramaturg, and casting director. She serves as the Artistic Director and Co-Founder of Bramble Theatre Company. As a playwright, her work has been developed and/or produced at Strawdog Theatre, Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, American Blues Theatre, The Gift Theatre, Silk Road Rising, Avalanche Theatre, Our Perspective: Asian American Plays, and Bramble. MFA in Performance from University of Hawaii at Manoa, BA in Directing and Acting from Boise State University, and graduate of The School at Steppenwolf 2019. www.kmurrellmyers.com

MATT SCHUTZ (.PDF Preferred), he/him, is a playwright and actor currently based in Chicago. His play With the Weight of her Fate on her Shoulders was a winner of the New South Young Playwrights Contest, was workshopped at the Horizon Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia and earned him a finalist slot for the Dramatist’s Guild Young Playwright Award. He has developed plays with the University of Iowa, Intrinsic Theatre, the Pride Arts Center, and Inkwell Theater.

ACTORS

VALERIE BUTLER-NEWBERN (Tomato Tattoo, “Natalie”), she/her, loves the art of storytelling in commercials, film and theater. You may have seen her in recently in Cano Health or Aspen Dental commercials. She continues to hone her craft by training at Acting Studio Chicago, The Green Room and Vagabond School of the Arts. Valerie is a native Chicagoan, a strong believer in lifelong learning and remains a resident of Chicago.

MILLIE BROOKS (Search for an Ending, “Ginger”), she/her, is thrilled to back in Chicago after a 14-year stint in San Francisco where she performed regularly with SF’s premiere sketch comedy troupe Killing My Lobster and BATS Improv. Other theatre credits include American Conservatory Theatre, SF Playhouse, Playground, and Custom Made Theatre. Follow her on Instagram @memyselfmillie.

DEVIN CHRISTOR (Search for an Ending, “Benny”), he/him, is a director that focuses on plays that critique hegemonic masculinity. Since receiving his B.A in Drama from the University of North Texas he has traveled the country working for several professional theaters to observe established directors and study the ecology of regional theater in America. Credits include: 1919 (Steppenwolf), Julius Caesar & God of Carnage (Milwaukee Repertory Theater), Into the Side of a Hill (Flint Repertory Theater “New Works Festival”), Freeze Out (Trinity Repertory Company “America Too” Festival), and Oba (Triangle Rainbow Productions “LGBTQ Short Play” Festival), The Gift of the Magi (American Players Theatre), A Raisin in the Sun (Beverly Arts Center).

SHERI FLANDERS (Funeral for a Friend, “Earth”; Search for an Ending , “Pam”), she/her, is a Chicago based writer, actor, comedian and improviser who is experienced on stage and screen. Her journalism has been featured in the Chicago Sun-Times, The Chicago Reader and other publications, and has interviewed notable figures such as Bill Whittaker, Clarence Page, Chris Redd and others. She is in production of a documentary about criminal justice. Sheri is represented by NV Talent.

SKYLAR FRISHMAN (.PDF Preferred, “Hrai”), they/she, is so excited to be participating in the first in person Playground-Chicago performance! In the past they have participated in one of the zoom performances, but they’re happy to be back on stage with them. They are also working at this time with the Chicago Kids Company, Rush University as an SP, and a number of other projects. They’re happy to see the Chicago theatre scene opening up some more again!

SCOTT GRYDER (Mosquitos, “Mosquito”), he/him, is excited to return to PlayGround-Chicago. He most recently appeared in Eleanor’s Very Merry Christmas Wish (DMT Productions) the Jeff-Award Winning Buyer & Cellar (Pride Films & Plays), Jesus Christ Superstar (Lyric Opera Chicago), and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Drury Lane Theatre at Water Tower Place). He has performed in a multitude of cabarets, including SIMPLY SCOTTY (with Nick Sula), WOZ: A Rock Cabaret, and Life Is A Cabaret – The Music & Words of Kander & Ebb, at Davenport’s, Skokie Theatre, and Auditorium. B.A. in Theater, Texas Tech University. MeTV’s Green Screen Adventures earned him three National Daytime Emmy Awards. www.thescottgryder.com

CHARLOTTE HARRIS (.PDF Preferred, “Sissy”), she/her, is excited to be working with Playground! Charlotte is a recent transplant of Houston, Texas with a Musical Theatre Background. On her time off she enjoys kayaking and crafting. Charlotte would like to thank her friends and family for their constant support, and Playground for the wonderful opportunity!

BENJAMIN KELLY (Funeral for a Friend, “David”; .PDF Preferred, “Bryan”), he/him, is a proud graduate of Illinois State University, with a B.S. in acting. He is incredibly thrilled to be making his debut at PlayGround-Chicago. At Illinois State, he played Jason/Tyrone in Hand to God, King Edward IV in Richard III and Harry Fatt in Waiting For Lefty. Other roles include Roy Cohn in both parts of Angels in America at Joliet Junior College and original roles in several world-premiere works through Coalescence Theatre Project. Ben is based in Chicago, and you can find him on Instagram at ben13kelly.

JAMILA JOINER (Mosquitos, “Grace”; (Un)Drinkable, “Person 2/Resident 2″), has a likable presence on stage that has made them a principal performer in many MN productions such as “All American Boys” and “Cinderella,” as well as ensemble work like “Gloria: A Life” and “Spring Awakening.” Jamila’s ability to captivate audiences spans genres, from classics like “Antigone” to contemporary like “Teen Idol: A Bobby Vee Story.” She has also shown creativity and dedication in serving as a dance captain and assistant choreographer in productions such as “Mary Poppins.” Jamila’s passion for storytelling and commitment to her craft makes for engaging performances that continue to captivate audiences. Follow her at @jamilajoiner or jamilajoiner.com

STEVE KIMBROUGH (Funeral for a Friend, Gerard O’Neill), he/him, is a local actor/singer who loves to get involved in new works. He is a Jeff nominated actor, sings with the trio “With a Twist” and has two CDS.

LISA MCCONNELL ((Un)drinkable, “Nannette”) she/her, believes that amazing is always on the other side of Yes. Lisa said yes to The Eclectic Full Contact Theatre when she accepted the (US) role of Duke Senior in As You Like it and Mrs. Bradman in Blithe Spirit. Yes, when Skokie Theatre asked her to turn on the lights of Lamps in Talking With. With 10+ years of performing, it is the yesses that has helped Lisa stretch and polish her craft in roles like Mrs. Mullers in Doubt, Jubilation Jones in Invisible, Nya in Pipeline and Dr. Livingstone in Agnes of God. Saying Yes to the Playground-Chicago Gala and taking on the role of Nannette in this very important piece (Un)drinkable continues to help Lisa grow as a performer. Thanks to all for inviting me to the party.

DAKOTA PARISET (Mosquitos, “Bob”), he/him, is a Chicago actor from Beaver Crossing, Nebraska. Thanks to PG-Chi for another opportunity! Other work includes: The Lightbulb Factory, BYOT, Chicago Dramatists, City Lit, Unheard of Company and Collaboraction. Additional thanks to The Artistic Home and to my family – Love you to the Moon and back! Check me out in “The Survivalist” and “Strangulation Day” as part of CTB’s Rhino Fest 2023 this June!

WILLIAM C. THOMPSON (Tomato Tattoo, “Richard”), he/her, has worked on stage, film, radio, television, & street theatre since he was sixteen. Since moving to Chicago in 2016, he has appeared in “Chicago Fire,” “Chicago PD,” and Netflix’s “Easy,” two major films “For Prophet,” & “The Christmas Pitch,” as well as numerous short films, an international law firm’s training programs, the SAG-AFTRA Senior Radio Players, and “At The Table” staged readings. He is a proud member of SAG-AFTRA and Actors Equity Association. William is represented by The Rock Talent Agency and is delighted to be a part of PlayGround-Chicago.

BRAEDYN YOUNGBERG (Search for an Ending, “Shawn”), he/him, is thrilled to be joining PlayGround-Chicago in their mission to develop local playwrights! Regional theatre credits include “Don Armado” (Loves Labors Lost), “Roderigo” (Othello), and “Antonio” (Twelfth Night) with Marin Shakespeare Company, “Orlando, et al” (As You Like It) with SF Shakes, “The Monster” (Young Frankenstein) with Spreckels PAC, and “Brad Majors” (The Rocky Horror Show) with Sixth Street Playhouse. Braedyn has trained locally with The Second City and iO Chicago, as well as regionally with Shakespeare & Company.

JORDAN ZELVIN (Funeral for a Friend, “Lindsey”), she/her, is a Chicago teaching artist with a love of improv, collaboration, and storytelling. Some of her favorite Chicago credits include ACROSS THE SAND: A PASSOVER THEATRICAL EXPERIENCE (Northbrook Theatre), HERSHEL AND THE HANUKKAH GOBLINS (Strawdog Theatre Company), FAILURE: A LOVE STORY (Oil Lamp Theater), CHICAGO WOMEN’S FUNNY FESTIVAL (Stage 773), and performing with COMEDYSPORTZ CHICAGO (Blackout Cabaret at Piper’s Alley). You can catch Jordan later this month in WAKE UP, BROTHER BEAR! (Northbrook Theatre). She’s thrilled to be back with PlayGround Chicago and supporting free and accessible theatre.