PlayGround-Chicago presents Season 4

MONDAY NIGHT PLAYGROUND

Topic: “Musical Parody”
December 15, 2025, 7 pm CT
 Chicago Dramatists & 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.

Monday Night PlayGround Memberships

We are deeply grateful to our 2025-26 Monday Night PlayGround Members, whose direct support helps to underwrite artists fees for the Monday Night series across all four regions:

Dr. & Mrs. Sam & Naomi Abramovitz, Sharon Baldwin, Julie Berthold, Tim Bishop, Linda B Breaux-Smith, Emilie T. & Gordon C. Brooks, John Brown, Summer Broyhill, Madeleine Butler, Ben Cain, Sidney Glass & Eleanor Clement Glass, Joan Cleveland, Sheila Collins, Marilyn Berg Cooper, Logan Varas De Valdes, Betsy Dudak, Cathy Earnest, Ann Ehrmann, Krystyna Finlayson, Michael Tonjum & Jan Gilman, Hollis Greenwood, Elizabeth Groenewegen, Gail Hillebrand & Hugh Barroll, Brandy T Jones, Roxy Jones, Jacqueline Whittier Kubicka, Emily Kuroda, Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Le Blanc, Alice Lehmann, Karen & Matt Levesque, Kristy Lin Billuni, Melinda Lopez, Linda G Marks, Dolores Martinez, Dr. Sheila McCormick, Yvonne McIntyre, Cynthia L Morishige, Dan Morley, Molly Noble & Bob Guilbault, Annette Oliveira, Emily Brauer Rogers, George Rose, Jessica June Rowe, Michelle Ruscetta, John J. Ruskin, Miyoko Sakatani, Jennifer Schultz & Eric Rosenzweig, Mark Sherstinsky, Nancy W. Smith, Stan Stone, Cathy M Stonie, Mary Lou Torre, Kim Tram, Vicki Victoria, Dr. Eidell Wasserman, Bex White, Janine Wilburn, and Cindy Womack. Thank you!

To learn more about the Monday Night PlayGround membership program, click here.

BECOME A MEMBER TODAY!

BIOGRAPHIES

PLAYWRIGHTS

DANIEL ARZOLA (Ms. Poppins Has a Way!), he/they, is a Mexican-American playwright born and raised in the Chicagoland area. This is their third season in PlayGround Chicago’s Writers Pool. They are always working on several new works and has been a National Playwrights Conference Semifinalist at the O’Neill and a Scratchpad Series Semifinalist at Playwrights Realm.

KIMBERLY DIXON-MAYS (Surly), she/her, is a poet, playwright and sometimes performer. Her work was featured in Congo Square Theatre Company’s 2019 August Wilson New Play Initiative, and a semi-finalist for the 2019 Eugene O’Neill National Playwrights Conference. Kimberly was also a semi-finalist for the 2020 National Black Theatre I Am Soul Playwright Residency and recipient of NBT’s Soul Series Lab Playwriting Micro-Development Session, nominated for a 2021 3Arts Award, selected for Goodman Theatre’s 2022 Future Lab series, a 2023 and 2025 finalist for American Blues Theater’s Blue Ink Award, and a 2024 finalist for Definition Theatre’s Amplify Series. She has also developed work with theaters including Rivendell, Shattered Globe, Stage Left and The Gift, and in 2025 the world premiere of her play Rabbits in Their Pockets opened the 43rd season of Chicago’s Lifeline Theatre. In 2023 she received an Illinois Arts Council fellowship.

LIZ HAAS (Have Some CEO), they/she, is a playwright based in Chicago; this year is their second year with PlayGround-Chicago’s Writers Pool. Their play A Home Education was featured in a staged reading at Bramble Theater Co. in 2025 and in the play reading series Re/Generation Studio at About Face Theatre in 2023. Liz was in the devising ensemble for Still/Here at Free Street Theater in 2019. Liz holds a bachelor of arts in history from Smith College. Outside of the theater, Liz can be found supporting immigrant and workers’ rights, reading speculative fiction, and playing deck-building games.

DANA HALL (The HR Tango), she/her, is a Chicago-based, award-winning playwright, actor, and mental health therapist. She is a multi-time finalist for the Lanford Wilson New American Play Festival, a top finalist for AACT NewPlayFest, and a finalist for the Morecambe Fringe John Clarke Memorial Prize, the Hear Me Out Monologue Competition, and the Dramatists Guild Foundation National Fellows Program. A winner of the New Works of Merit Playwriting Contest, Dana is currently in residency with the Dramatists Guild Institute’s Certificate in Dramatic Writing program. A collection of her comedic monologues is available on Amazon check out: Cue the Comedy. Learn more about her work at DanaHallCreates.com

SHAIL MODI (Gnats!), he/him, is a Chicago-based playwright and actor. His dream is to star in a Bollywood movie without knowing Hindi or how to sing or dance.

MATT SCHUTZ (Street Rats), he/him, is a playwright and actor currently based in Chicago. His play .PDF Preferred was included in PlayGround-Chicago’s Best of Chicago production. 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

AMONTAE BANKS (Street Rat, “Allen”), he/him, is a Chicago based actor who hopes to be seen in every theatre you go to! Leaving from his hometown Hammond, IN to Chicago to bring smiles or (or tears) to people’s faces. Whether in classical shows like ‘The Misanthrope’ (Forest Park Theatre) or contemporary shows like ‘Smart People’ (Uic), he’ll make sure you leave with something.

ANDREA CONWAY-DIAZ (Have Some CEO, “Helen”), she/her, is thrilled to be part of PlayGround Chicago’s Monday Night Series once again. She recently participated in a staged reading called “She Too Bad For History” at the Beverly Arts Center in conjunction with Amplified Voices. Andrea performed six roles with different voices for the reading! Andrea has been cast in a two-person play called “Life Sentence” as part of Gray Matters Play Festival. Andrea was also in the cast of 7 Guitars, which was nominated for 6 Jeff Awards, including Best Ensemble.

RASHEEDA DENISE (Surly, “Bernadette”), she/her, is a Chicago native actor honored to be part of PlayGround Chicago’s Musical Parody: Surly. She holds a BFA in Acting from the University of Illinois at Chicago and trained at The School of Steppenwolf in 2019. Her stage work includes Bramble Theatre’s Festival of Unfinished Works, Valiant Theatre’s New Works Festival, Black Men Talk Play Festival, and multiple runs of The Vagina Monologues. Her screen credits include Sweet Nothings, Kismet, and The Real Untruth. She is passionate about creating work that sparks empathy, connection, and meaningful conversation.

GABRIELA DIAZ (Surly, “Lori” & Gnats!, “Nizzabella”), she/her, is a Chicago based actor and teaching artist. She has found her creative home in Avalanche Theatre as an ensemble and company member, serving as their Artist Advocate. Gabriela holds a BFA from Webster Conservatory, and is represented by Lily’s Talent Agency. She is a part of the Olde School Shakespeare Collective, and has collaborated with Teatro Vista, Bramble, Steppenwolf Theatre, Jackalope, Lifeline Theatre, Firebrand, The Art Institute, Babes With Blades and others.

RONNIE LYALL (The HR Tango, “Jack Hofferman“), he/him, Ronnie is very excited to perform again with the Monday Night PlayGround. Ronnie is recent grad of the Second City Conservatory and is excited to utilize the skills that he has learned there in his performance today. You can keep up with Ronnie and his upcoming projects on Instagram @ronniedlyall.

BEAU MALONE (Ms. Poppins Has a Way!, “Michael Banks“), he/they, is a Chicago-based theatremaker hailing from different places.

 AUSTIN RAMBO (Gnats!, “Dingo/Nimblenanks“), he/him, Austin Rambo is a heightened physical theater actor. His debut in Chicago was back in 2020 with the Jeff award winning “All Quiet on the Western Front.” Austin is a graduate of the Actor’s Gymnasium’s 2-year professional circus training program, where he now teaches. Recent credits include Circus Quixote at Lookingglass and Pagliacci at Lyric Opera. Austin is also an ensemble member at Chicago Danztheatre.

SHANE RHOADES (Street Rat, “Gene”), he/they, is very excited to be working with Playground for the first time. Recent credits include Big Time Toppers(Theatre Lacadie), Cymbeline (Midsommar Flight), Campaigns Inc (Timeline). Shane received their MFA from The Theatre School at DePaul University and is represented by Grossman and Jack.

SHARIBA RIVERS (Ms. Poppins Has a Way!, “Ms. Poppins”; Have Some CEO, “Manager”), she/her, is a company member at MPAACT and a member of Playground-Chicago. She has recently returned from Wisconsin where she appeared in THE CHILDREN at Next Act Theatre and in THE BARBER AND THE UNNAMED PRINCE and A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM at APT. She’s appeared on stages across Chicago. TV: The Chi, Chicago Med and Chicago Fire. FILM: Bob’s Best Friends, Instinct of Fear, Fitting Descriptions, and Smoking Gun! RECOGNITION: 2024 3Arts Stan Lipkin & Evelyn Appell Lipkin award; listed as one of Newcity’s 50 Players in 2023 and 2025. Shariba is represented by Gray Talent Group. www.sharibatheactor.com

DIDI ROY-CLIFFORD (The HR Tango, “Mrs. Collins”)

JUSTINE SERINO (Surly, “Wynona“), she/her, Justine is very glad to be back at PlayGround-Chicago. Originally from Massachusetts, some of her favorite Chicago credits include work with The Gift Theatre, Artemisia Theatre, Babes with Blades, The Side Project, Stage Left, The Artistic Home.

PAUL TAIVIANI (Gnats!, “Old Neuteronomy/Mr. Nestoffolees”), he/him, Regional: Becoming A Man, A.R.T.; Picasso At The Lapin Agile, Capital Rep (Einstein); Terra Nova, Capital Rep (Birdie Bowers); A Raisin in the Sun, Indiana Repertory (Karl Lindner); Stones in His Pockets, Hippodrome (Jake, et al.); Alabama Story, Actors Theatre of Indiana (Garth Williams); Bright Star, Phoenix Theatre (IN); And Then There Were None, Drury Lane Theatre; TV: “Chicago P.D.”, “Dark Matter”, “Kidnap & Rescue”; Film: “Rampage: The Hillside Strangler.” Education: M.F.A., Brandeis University.

 IZZY VALDÉS (Street Rat, “Jazz”), they/she, is a Cuban American and Puerto Rican actor from Miami Florida. Select theatre credits include: 98% Boy 2% Milk (Spark Theatre Festival NYC), 98% Boy 2% Milk (Second City), Becky Nurse of Salem (Shattered Globe Theatre), No One Cares (about you) (CLATA), The Fuck House (Strawdog Theatre), Our Dear Dead Drug Lord (Steep Theatre). The Moors (Rutgers Theatre Company), and Twelfth Night (Shakespeare’s Globe). They are a proud NWSA alum and a graduate from Rutgers University.

 RACHEL WADE (The HR Tango, “Cindy Hanson”), she/her, is an actor, writer, and comedian from Des Moines, IA. She studied Theatre Arts at The University of Iowa, is a graduate of Second City’s Conservatory, actor with Playground Chicago, and co-founder of Lady Dog Theatre Company. She was most recently seen in The Grownups at Lady Dog Theatre Co. and performing with her sketch group Communal Beverage. During the day she teaches preschool, children’s theater, and is a dog mom to beloved Springer Spaniel Mabel. Thank you for being here!

BRAEDYN YOUNGBERG (Have Some CEO, “Brian”), he/him, is thrilled to be returning to PlayGround-Chicago and support 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 (Ms. Poppins Has a Way!, “Jane Banks”), she/they, is a Chicago teaching artist, comedian, puppeteer, and proud company member of PlayGround Chicago with a love of improv, collaboration, and storytelling. She has worked with The Alliance Theatre, Writers Theatre, NTYA, Oil Lamp Theater, Strawdog Theatre, Redtwist Theatre, The Second City, The Annoyance, iO Theater, and The Revival. Jordan is the Associate Artistic Director and Lead Teaching Artist for the K’ilu Company, co-founder of Chronic Collective Chi, and a comedian of Malarkey Comedy. She’s thrilled to be back with PlayGround Chicago and supporting free and accessible theatre.

DIRECTORS