PlayGround Chicago presents Season 1

MONDAY NIGHT PLAYGROUND

PLANET EARTH ARTS NEW PLAY FESTIVAL
Topic: “Grief and Hope for Planet Earth”

April 3, 2023 7pm CT

Simulcast & On-Demand via Vimeo Live

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.

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

(Un)Drinkable
by Dana Hall
Directed by Jamal Howard
Person 1/Resident 1.………Jerome Beck
Person 2/Resident 2...……..Chanell Bell
Nannette.……...…………..Shariba Rivers

People’s Plant
by RJ Silva
Directed by Spencer Diedrick
Rommel.………………….Joseph Alvarado
Rickey.…………………..George Infantado

Cabeça Dura (Hard Headed)
by Ryan Oliveira
Directed by by Christina Casano
Tais.……………Rebbekah Vega-Romero
Luis.………………………….Rudy Guerrero
Silva.……………..Julian Lopez-Morillas

Drowning in the Desert
by Desireé York
Directed by Helen Young
Kaia………………………Nikhaar Kishnani
Anala…………………………..Roshni Datta
Mirai…………………Salma Hadi-St. John
Guard/Intake……………Havish Ravipati

Reconnaissance
by Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend
Directed by Claire Bauman
Human…………………..Karla Rennhofer
Raphael…………………….Benjamin Kelly
Susan…………………………..Rachel Wade

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

LISA DELLAGIARINO FERIEND (Reconnaissance), she/her, is an award-winning playwright, a member of the Dramatists Guild, and President of the Board of Arts For All, a NYC-based nonprofit bringing accessible artistic opportunities to children who face barriers to exploring the arts. She has a BFA in Film & TV from NYU and two kids who are disappointed that she doesn’t write plays about dinosaurs. www.arts-for-all.org

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. 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). 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, he studied under playwrights Sherry Kramer, Jackie Sibblies-Drury, and Sarah Hammond, 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 most recently at PlayGround. Through all the mediums he works with, Samuel is interested in exploring genre fiction, language, comedy, queerness, and masculinity.

RYAN OLIVEIRA (Cabeça Dura (Hard Headed)), he/him, is a Brazilian-American playwright, dramaturg, solo performer, and songwriter. Recent productions include Desire in a Tinier House (Pride Films and Plays) and Soccer Player in the Closet (Nothing Without a Company). His work has been developed with The New Coordinates, Broken Nose Theatre, Teatro Vivo, Prop Thtr, and El Semillero. He has been a finalist for the O’Neill Theatre Conference and the New Harmony Project (Take Care, 2020), as well as a finalist for the Disquiet Luso-American Fellowship. MFA: The University of Iowa, 2015; BA: Cornell University, 2008. For more of his work, check out www.ryanoliveira.com.

RJ SILVA (People’s Plant), he/him, is a playwright and theatre artist in Chicago, having previously written “Not Unusual” for PlayGround Chicago. RJ has previously produced and directed for 2nd Story, performs for CIRCA Pintig, is a member of the Artist Board for the Chicago Artist Guide, and co-creator of The Ampliverse where he produces and hosts shows and podcasts.

DESIREÈ YORK (Drowning in the Desert), she/her, is a playwright, poet, and director whose work confronts difficult truths in the intimate intersections of everyday life. Her plays include: The Puppeteer, One Second Chance, Undone, Human(e), Floating, Break Time, and Hiding Out Loud among others. She is the recipient of the 2021 John Gassner Memorial Playwriting Award by the New England Theatre Conference, the 2015 Kennedy Center Rosa Parks Playwriting Award, and was recognized by Dayton Most Metro for the Best New Work of 2017-2018 Season. www.desireeyork.com

ACTORS

JOSEPH ALVARADO (People’s Plant, “Rommel”), he/him, has performed on stages throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, generally in musical theater productions including La Cage aux Folles (Jacob), A Chorus Line (Bobby) and Company (Bobby) to name a few.  Most recently, he played Jack in Aunt Jack with New Conservatory Theatre Center. He also just completed work on his first feature film, Sweet Nothing (IG: SweetNothingFeature). He was born, raised and is still living in San Francisco and shares his home with his 17 year old cat Malcolm.

JEROME BECK ((Un)Drinkable, “Person 1/Resident 1”), they/them, is a non binary actor based in LA, with artistic roots in Chicago. While in Chicago, they originated roles in plays such as RIGHTLYND by Ike Holter, INCENDIARY by Dave Harris and IT IS MAGIC by Mickle Maher. They can be seen in tv shows such as The Rookie, The Neighborhood and seasons 3 & 4 of The Chi. They are a graduate of The Theatre School at DePaul MFA program. Jerome is represented by Stewart Talent (Chi) and Stagecoach Entertainment. 

CHANELL BELL ((Un)Drinkable, “Person 2/Resident 2”), she/her/hers, is an American storyteller and humanitarian. Previous performances include Fireflies (Northlight), She The People (Second City), Crumbs from the Table of Joy (Raven), POWER Book: IV on STARZ network and NEXT on Fox. Recent nominations include the BTAA Ethel Waters Award for her role as Olivia Grace in Fireflies. In addition to performing, Chanell is dedicated to helping young artists fine tune their craft and has spent years teaching storytellers in countries all over the world.

ROSHNI DATTA (Drowning in the Desert, “Anala”), she/her, is a stage/film actress, dancer/choreographer and radio show host. She has previously acted in various Bay Area theater productions such as The Jungle Book, Hayavadan, Mahabharat, Rumors, Kingdom of Cards, State of Denial, and Rehearsal for Murder. She is a trained classical dancer and has acted in and co-created various short films & music videos. In her free time she enjoys writing poetry and rapping.

SHERI FLANDERS (Funeral for a Friend, “Earth”), 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.

ERIC GELLER (Funeral for a Friend, “Gerard O’Neill”), he/him. Eric Geller: For the last twenty years, Eric’s been a member of Dancing Squirrels, a non-profit, children’s theater troupe that performs for ill and abused kids. He also works in immersive theater, most recently, Hollywood Fringe Fest award winners, “Unreal City” and “Vote For Murder.” Eric’s most recognized for hosting an archaeology/exploration series, “Cities of the Underworld,” for The History Channel. Eric’s from St. Louis, attended “Mizzou” and graduated from UC-Irvine.

ASHLEY GRAHAM (Funeral for a Friend, “Lindsey”), she/her, is a theatre artist from South Carolina. This is her second year in the Chicago scene and she is very excited to be involved in yet another Playground production!

RUDY GUERRERO (Cabeça Dura (Hard Headed), “Luis”), he/him, is thrilled to be back at PlayGround. Other theater credits include performances at 42nd St. Moon, American Conservatory Theater, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Central Works, Connecticut Repertory Theater, Foothill Music Theater, Lorraine Hansberry Theatre, Magic Theatre, Marin Shakespeare Company, Marin Theatre Company, Pacific Alliance Stage Company, Playwrights Foundation, San Francisco Playhouse, Theatre Rhinoceros, TheatreWorks, Willows Theatre Company, and Word for Word. Mr. Guerrero has a BFA in Musical Theater from the Boston Conservatory and a MFA in Acting from the American Conservatory Theater. www.rudyguerrero.com

SALMA HADI ST JOHN (Drowning in the Desert, “Mirai”)

GEORGE INFANTADO (People’s Plant, “Rickey”), he/him, actor, half band member of feralRobot, and excited dad to be is originally from Chicago but currently resides in Los Angeles. He’s managed by Angela Durden of CSP Management and commercially represented by Vision Talent. George has worked with Chicago companies CIRCApintig, Sideshow Theatre, Otherworld Theatre and A-Squared Theatre. George is thankful for the opportunity to play with Playground Theatre and would like to send a special thanks to RJ and Ginger.

BENJAMIN KELLY (Reconnaissance, “Raphael”), 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.

NIKHAAR KISHNANI (Drowning in the Desert, “Kaia”), she/her. Off-Off Broadway: Veil’d at Astoria Performing Arts Center. Regional Theatre: Queen at Geva Theatre Centre, A Doll’s House Part 2 at Actors Theatre Louisville. Film: Shortcomings, Post-Term, Him&Her&Him. Television: Brown Nation, Code Switched, Geeta’s Guide To Moving On, Nepotism. Other Theatre: Twelfth Night at DePaul University, The Women Eat Chocolate at DePaul University, Prospero’s Storm at DePaul University, The Children’s Hour at DePaul University, The Qualms at DePaul University, The Rimers of Eldritch at Rutgers University. Additional Credits: Kishnani received her M.F.A. from The Theatre School at DePaul University. She is on house team, Octopus Queen, at Rubbish Comedy Collective.

JULIAN LOPEZ-MORILLAS (Cabeça Dura (Hard Headed), “Silva”) is a stage actor in the San Francisco Bay Area.

HAVISH RAVIPATI (Drowning in the Desert, “Guard/Intake”), he/him, is an actor based in California. He has done many stage plays, a supporting role in the feature film, Four Samosas, several short films, commercials and voiceovers. He looks forward to performing in any artistic opportunity provided and hopes audiences will enjoy as well.

KARLA A. RENNHOFER (Reconnaissance, “Human”), she/her, is thrilled to be working with this group and playwright. Other credits include Suzan (U/S, perf) FULFILLMENT CENTER at A Red Orchid Theatre, Aunt Agatha (U/S, perf) at First Folio and Female Authority Figure in HAIRSPRAY (Brightside Theatre). Her most challenging role was Li’l Bit in HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE. A Chicago native, Karla has her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and is grateful to be studying under Adrianne Cury’s skilled mentorship and at the Acting Studio Chicago.

SHARIBA RIVERS ((Un)Drinkable, “Nannette”), she/her, is excited to have been invited to play with PlayGround. Recent credits: Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (Arts Center of Coastal Carolina), Trouble in Mind (Timeline Theatre) and Sweat (Paramount Theatre). She was recently featured in Newcity Stage as one of its “Players 2023” for theatre. TV credits include Chicago Med, The Chi, Chicago Fire, Empire, and Chicago PD. Film credits include Smoking Gun!, Dandelions, and Start Without Me. Shariba is a member of AEA and SAG-AFTRA and is represented by Gray Talent Group. www.sharibatheactor.com

REBBEKAH VEGA-ROMERO (Cabeça Dura (Hard Headed), “Flo”), she/her/ella, is a triracial Latina bruja, performer, and scribe, who resides in her native NYC with her black cat, King Arthur Yoda. Rebbekah has graced stages across America: from Massachusetts (Luisa/The Fantasticks/Cape Playhouse) to Colorado (Martha Cratchit/A Christmas Carol/Denver Center) to Washington (Maria/West Side Story/5th Avenue), as well as in many more productions, readings and workshops. Rebbekah is a 2023 Doreen Montalvo Scholarship honoree. Rebbekah holds a BA in English from Boston University and is a YoungArts award-winning writer. Rebbekah’s poetry has been featured by Sixfold and Ars.Poetica; she is a resident playwright with Playground-NY; she wrote, starred in, and produced the short film “The Question,” a comedy about #DatingWhileMixed. Rebbekah’s solo cabaret show, Ingenuity, recently premiered at Chelsea Table & Stage. Rebbekah hopes her work will inspire other mixed-race girls to share their magic.

RACHEL WADE (Reconnaissance, “Susan”), she/her, is an actor and comedian originally from Des Moines, IA. She graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in Theatre Arts and is now enjoying her first year living in Chicago. She is currently a student in The Second City’s Conservatory, and she could not be more excited to be a part of Monday Night Playground for the first time! Outside of performing, Rachel is a preschool teacher and dog mom to her Springer Spaniel Miss Mabelline. She hopes you enjoy the show!

BRAEDYN YOUNGBERG (Funeral for a Friend, “David”), 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.