Company in the News February 2026

Posted by on February 4, 2026

See what PlayGround-Chicago Writers and Company Members are up to this February including: Dana Hall Leanna Oliveira, Jay Rehak, Diana Simonzadeh, and Katherine Swan!

Dana Hall is featured in the recently published, “Best Female Monologues 2025 from Smith & Kraus” collection. This collection is a go-to audition book, packed with contemporary, smart, emotionally rich monologues written specifically for women. It’s an excellent resource for actors seeking material that feels current, grounded, and performable, whether for auditions, classes, or showcases. More information available HERE!

Leanna Oliveira is directing a short new play as part of the Patchwork Festival with Full Eclectic Contact Theatre (Group A). More information available HERE!

Jay Rehak‘s fifteen minute comedy, “There’s Only Room for One of You” has been selected as part of the 7th season of Theatrical Shenanigans or Mini Shenanigans, an audio podcast series out of London, England. Synopsis: Two friends die in a car crash, only to discover there’s only room for one of them in Heaven. The audio performance will be available worldwide in December 2026. More information available HERE!

Diana Simonzadeh is happy to announce that she will be joining the cast of Sharing Air the movie! sharingairmovie.com. From award-winning filmmaker, David Marsh of David Marsh Productions and Jim Elliott of Diveheart Organization, the team that created the award winning documentary, Adapting To Dive (on YouTube and Amazon Prime), along with Emmy award winning under water director of photography, Frazier Nivens, and director of photography, Tommy Jackson, Sharing Air begins principal photography this March! More information available HERE!

Katherine Swan had a reading of her play “Some Other Woman Like Me” at SoNa Gallery with “The Feast,” directed by Playground member Kaeli Meno. Katherine’s short play “The Ark” will be performed at The Artistic Home February 19-22 as part of their annual Cut to the Chase festival. More information available HERE!