PlayGround-Chicago presents Season 2

MONDAY NIGHT PLAYGROUND

Topic: “The Shakespeare Multiverse”
February 5, 2024 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.

Monday Night PlayGround Memberships

We are deeply grateful to our 2023-24 Monday Night PlayGround Members, whose direct support helps to underwrite artists fees for the Monday Night series across all four regions:

Sam & Naomi Abramovitz, Tanvi Agrawal, Linda Amayo-Hassan, Sharon Baldwin, Jaisey Bates, Tim Bishop, Ms. Linda B Breaux-Smith, Emilie Brooks, Robyn Brooks, Summer Broyhill, Madeleine Butler, Ben Cain, Julie Campbell, Sidney Glass & Eleanor Clement Glass, Joan Cleveland, Ms. Marilyn Berg Cooper, Sandra Cruze, Dodds Delzell, Hillary DeMartino, Sharon Ebehardt, Ann Ehrmann, Ms. Cherielyn Ferguson, Krystyna Finlayson, Sheri Flanders, Conde Freeman, Michael Fried, Dr. Jan Gilman, Lara Gilman, Michael Tonjum & Jan Gilman, Hollis Greenwood, Ruben Grijalva, Regina Guggenheim, Dana Hall, Rachel Harner, Sharlene Hartman, Gail Hillebrand & Hugh Barroll, Lucy Hsu, Brandy T Jones, Ms. Anne M. Krause, Emily Kuroda, Douglas Le Blanc, Ms. Kristy Lin Billuni, Mr. John Lindner, Jonathan Luskin & Leslie Katz, Rhea MacCallum, George Maguire, Brian Markley, Linda Marks, Dr. Sheila McCormick, Bacilio Mendez II, Ms. Cynthia L Morishige, Dan Morley, Molly Noble & Bob Guilbault, Annette Oliveira, Maryl Olivera, Ms. Vicki Oswald, Bridgette Dutta Portman, Mrs. Elizabeth Poston, Madeline Puccioni, Mr. George Rose, Jessica June Rowe, Michelle Ruscetta, John J. Ruskin, Kathryn Ryan, Miyoko Sakatani, Louel Senores, Mark Sherstinsky, Nancy W. Smith, Stan Stone, Cathie Stonie, Mr. Richard Dana Swart, Mary Lou Torre, Kim Tram, Jeffrey Trescott, Michael E Tuton, Dr. Eidell Wasserman, Michael Waterson, Bex White, Christian Wilburn, Janine Wilburn, and Maury Zeff

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

BECOME A MEMBER TODAY!

Billy and the Muses
by Gabriella Bonamici
Directed by Tyler Struble
Billy……………….James Hayakawa
Muse #1……………….Shelby Brown
Muse #2…………..Charlotte Harris
Muse #3………………..Beau Malone

The Potion of Love
by Julie Campbell
Directed by Eileen Dixon
Propsero……….Braedyn Youngberg
Ariel…………………..Skylar Frishman
Ferdinand………………Rashaad Bond
Miranda…………….Vivian Delgadillo
Antonio………..Nnamdi K. Nwankwo

The Fair Foul
by Kym Fraher
Directed by Kendall Phillip
Heather……………………Kristi Alsip
Jen………………………Ann E. Nunez
Pam…………………….Ruth Kaufman
Matt……………Anthony Albamonte

Othello Redux
by Niv Elbaz
Directed by Devin Christor
Othello………………Rashaad Bond
Iago……….William C. Thompson
Desdemona……Vivian Delgadillo

regicide or how i became queen of the damned
by alfonzo solomon kahlil
Directed by Charlique C. Rolle
Lady Macbeth.…..Tonyisha Harris
Witch 1…………..Diana Simonzadeh
Witch 2………………Skylar Frishman
Witch 3…………………..Lynda Cortez

Romeo Doesn’t Know
by Daniel Arzola
Directed by Jim Kleinmann
Romeo………………..Peter Stielstra
Juliet…………………..Carmia Imani
Paris……………………Lynda Cortez

Stage Manager: Tessa Huber

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

PlayGround is a member of Theatre Bay Area, League of Chicago Theatres, 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-ch.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=180 (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!

Biographies

PLAYWRIGHTS

DANIEL ARZOLA (Romeo Doesn’t Know), he/they, is a Mexican-American playwright born and raised in the Chicagoland area. They frequently work on several productions in regional theaters and is currently working on several new works, including a new play recently selected as a National Playwrights Conference Semifinalist at the O’Neill and a brand new musical that combines American folk music with various genres of Latin music. They also work as a director, frequently working on new play developments.

GABRIELLA BONAMICI (Billy and the Muses), she/her, is a Chicago playwright with a passion for telling stories that are equally humorous and horrifying. Her plays often center around mental health, magical realism, and strong female casts. Her work has been produced in Chicago, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Massachusetts. This is her second year with Playground Chicago’s writers pool.

JULIE CAMPBELL (The Potion of Love), she/her, is a Chicago-based playwright who had three scripts produced for the ChicagoCBS local television show, THE MAGIC DOOR. THE TRIMMING was chosen for Chicago Dramatists Playwright’s Aloud series. ARCTIC CURTAIN and BEJEWELED were read at the Chicago Dramatists First Draft Series. Her 10-minute play THE APPOINTMENT was read at Tuesdays @9 Chicago. Her work has been read in MONOLOGIA V by Ubiquitous Players Chicago

NIV ELBAZ (Othello Redux), he/him, is a writer and a third culture kid who was born in Israel but was raised in Thailand. Niv received a BA in Playwriting from Columbia College Chicago, and an MFA in Writing for the Screen and Stage at Northwestern University (Class of 2021). His play Delilah (2020) was one of the five winning plays that took part in Panndora Productions “Panndora’s Box 14th Annual New Works Festival” and his play The Blues in Your Whites (2020) was a Shortlisted Finalist in Screencraft’s Stage Play Writing Competition. Finally, he enjoys cycling, gaming, and eating international food in no particular order.

KYM FRAHER (The Fair Foul), she/her, is a playwright, actor, and writer who also spends her time helping children develop their communication skills as a speech therapist in Early Intervention. She has participated in the Writing lab for Women’s Theater Alliance, Workshop Theater’s Writer’s Intensive, SPARK Creative Works virtual showcase, and The Magnetic Theatre’s One Act Play Festival 2021. In 2023, her full length play, “Chester” was honored to reach semi-finalist status at the O’Neill National Playwrights Conference. She is eager to continue to explore the human condition through narrative and thanks her family for their support.

alfonzo solomon kahlil (regicide or how i became queen of the damned), he/they, is a poet, playwright, and performance artist, raised on the W(b)estside of Chicago, who believes whatever doesn’t kill you, makes for great art. Dramatist of SCORPIO & THE NEW / NEW TESTAMENT, alfonzo’s art utilizes the polyphony of spoken word and performance as a medium to explore the realm of the profane, the profound, the sacred, and the taboo of the interpersonal. alfonzo holds a BFA in theatre from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and is represented by Stewart Talent. alfonzo was previously seen in The Island (Court u/s John), Allegiance (Goodman), The Dream Engine (Kirby), Track 13 (Young Fugitives), The Seekers (Bushwick), Lectures (Cloud), EFFICIENCY (Dixon), HOLD UP, CANNABITCHES, and CHICAGO FIRE.

ACTORS

ANTHONY ALBAMONTE (The Fair Foul, Matt), he/him, is an up incoming actor, new to the Chicago theatre scene. He has acted throughout high school and later snagged himself a theatre degree from Indiana State University. He would like to thank Play Ground for having him participate in this great opportunity. He would also like to thank his family, friends, and Katie for supporting him in the arts.

KRISTI ALSIP (The Fair Foul, Heather), she/her, is a voice actor, lead vocalist in the rock band CRAWFORD’S DAUGHTER, host of CRIME CAVE PODCAST, audiobook narrator, and has appeared in a few indie films. Grunge music runs through her veins and Chris Cornell was always her Get-Out-Of-Marriage-Free card, so this role is a perfect fit.

RASHAAD BOND (The Potion of Love/Othello Redux, Ferdinand/Othello), he/him, moved to Chicago from Albuquerque, New Mexico in the summer of 2019. In Albuquerque, Rashaad founded and served as the artistic director for Middle Ground Theatre Company, a company dedicated to giving opportunities to those in the community that were often neglected. He holds a BA in Theatre from the University of New Mexico. His studies allowed him to develop skills in directing, producing, acting, lighting design, and scenic carpentry. Since moving to Chicago, Rashaad has had the opportunity to work with organizations such as Black Ensemble Theatre, Porchlight Music Theatre, The League of Chicago Theatres, The Artistic Home, Redtwist Theater, Trapdoor Theatre,Theatre Above the Law, Ghostlight Ensemble, Perceptions Theatre, Eclectic Full Contact Theatre, Haven Chicago, and Possibilities Theatre.

SHELBY BROWN (Billy and the Muses, “Muse #1”), she/her, is thrilled to be collaborating with Playground-Chicago! Regional: RENT (The MUNY) Aida (Ensemble, Weathervane Playhouse) Amusement Parks: Cedar Point’s Swell Tones, Come See About Me (Amber), and The Shrieks (Vampira), Carowinds’ Winterfest Cool Yule. Ball State University Grad. Much Love! Instagram: @shelbyebrown_

LYNDA CORTEZ (regicide or how i became queen of the damned, “Witch 3”; Romeo Doesn’t Know, “Paris”), they/them, is excited and thankful to return to PlayGround-Chicago! They are an actor and jazz/indie singer originally from New Orleans. Recent credits include “Garden of Decay” at Navy Pier, “Books on the Chopping Block” with City Lit Theater Company, and being a Healthcare Clown with Vaudeville Chicago. You can also currently catch them understudying for Reese/Mary/Ensemble in Wise Guys at The Factory Theater! Seeking representation.

VIVIAN DELGADILLO (The Potion of Love, “Miranda”; Othello Redux, “Desdemona”), she/they, is a performing artist with an interest in social issues, based in Chicago. As someone who loves to sing, dance and act, she is finding her way back into the theater scene. She loves all aspects of collaborative and imaginative play & is down to clown.

SKYLAR FRISHMAN (The Potion of Love, “Ariel”; regicide or how i became queen of the damned, “Witch 2”), they/she, is so excited to be back on stage with PlayGround! This is their fourth PlayGround performance and they always very much enjoy it. They also work as a party princess, a standardized patient, and an actor in many other projects!

CHARLOTTE HARRIS (Billy and the Muses, “Muse #3”), she/her, is a local Chicago actor who hails from Houston, TX. Charlotte enjoys kayaking and football when not acting. She would like to thank her best friend Jordan: for always being the Chandler to my Joey.

TONYISHA HARRIS (regicide or how i became queen of the damned, “Lady Macbeth”), she/they, is new to the Chicago theatre community and is thrilled to be a member of The ACADEMY. A few of her favorite roles in training are Beneatha in A Raisin in the Sun and Ellie in The Last of Us. Love and thanks to her supportive friends!

JAMES HAYAKAWA (Billy and the Muses, “Billy”; The Fair Foul, “Matt”), he/him, is excited to return to PlayGround. James is a recent graduate of Ball State University, with a BFA in Musical Theatre. While at Ball State, he appeared in Skin and Bones (Granger, World Premiere), Pirates of Penznace (Pirate King), and Crazy for You (Custus). A big thank you to PlayGround-Chicago for this fantastic opportunity!

CARMIA IMANI (Romeo Doesn’t Know, “Juliet”), she/her, is a Chicago-based theatre artist who is passionate about advocating for radical change and integrating anti-racist theatre practices into her artistry and work. Her regional credits include: brother sister cyborg space (u/s) Raven Theatre, Skeleton Crew, Death of a Salesman (The Black Rep), and Much Ado About Nothing (u/s) (Commonwealth Shakespeare Company). Carmia has participated in new work readings and workshops with Pocket Theatre VR, The Artistic Home, Obsidian Theatre Festival, and PlayGround-Chicago where she is also a Producing Fellow. She holds a BFA in Acting with a minor in New Works for the Stage from Ball State University.

RUTH KAUFMAN (The Fair Foul, “Pam”), she/her, is a former lawyer who played one on Disney+ in Marvel Studios’ “She-Hulk: Attorney at Law.” Her many credits include features, short films and web series, commercials and improv and thousands of voiceovers. Accolades include a Midwest Film Festival best actress nomination. Ask what she did on “America’s Funniest People” and at the “America’s Got Talent” S8 judges’ audition. She’s the author of six novels including My Life as an Extra and My Life as a Star (which may or may not be inspired by actual events) and sold her first feature screenplay. Learn more at ruthtalks.com.

BEAU MALONE (Billy and the Muses, “Muse #2″), he/they, is a Chicago-based theatremaker hailing from different places.

ANN E. NUNEZ (The Fair Foul, “Jen”), she/her, a former Pediatrician from upstate New York, has acted in Chicago for the past 5 years. She has studied theater at Acting Studio Chicago, with Susan Hart, and at Sarantos Studio for Acting. Her film credits include Liminal Vortices, Enchanted Roses, and Storm Stories. She has performed with PlayZoomers, in theater productions at the James Downing Theater and with Chicago 24! She is a member of the Scratch Ensemble since 2021 and appeared in their latest production, a staged reading of The Cemetery Club.

NNAMDI K. NWANKWO (The Potion of Love, “Antonio“), he/him, is thrilled to be a part of this reading. Recent credits include a reading of Chicago playwright, Christian Alexander’s “Vulnerable”, “Into the Woods” at Paramount Theatre, man in orange in the world premiere of “For Colored Boyz” at Fulton Theatre, Agwé in “Once on this Island” at Town Hall Arts Center, and Merrick in the world premiere of “Elephant” at Benchmark Theatre as well as workshopping “Intelligence”, a new opera by American Composer/Librettist duo, Jake Heggie and Gene Scheer. @nnamdiknwankwo on Instagram, X, and Tiktok.

DIANA SIMONZADEH (regicide or how i became queen of the damned, “Witch 3”), she/her, is thrilled to make her third appearance with Monday Night PlayGround! The season opener’s, The Origin Of Zeke Wolf by Dana Hall, was her first. Regional Theatre: The Corpse Washer at Actors Theatre Louisville’s Humana Festival; Perfect Mendacity at Asolo Rep. Film (Indie): Oops! I’ve Been Driven Mundane; The Cancer Card; The Reunion; The Glass House; The Origins of Wit and Humor; Remote Viewing; WaterWalk; Qwerty; The Widow; All We Had; Television: Chicago Fire; Matadors. Other Theatre: Night Over Erzinga and Scorched at Silk Road Rising; Homebody/Kabul at Steppenwolf Theatre; Return to Haifa at Next Theatre; LeBourgeois Avant-Garde and King Richard 111 (The Big Dick) at Sliced Bread Productions; Bye Bye Birdie at Drury Lane Theatre; West Side Story and Oklahoma! at Pheasant Run Theatre. She is a recipient of an Equity Jeff Award.

PETER STIELSTRA (Romeo Doesn’t Know, “Romeo”), he/him, is a Chicago based actor and singer. Recent credits include HERSHEL AND THE HANUKKAH GOBLINS (Max/Guitarist) with Strawdog, THE THREEPENNY OPERA (Ensemble, u/s Macheath) with Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre, and GIRLFRIEND (Mike) with PrideArts. Before moving to Chicago from San Francisco, some of his favorite credits include: AS YOU LIKE IT (Orlando u/s and ensemble) with the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival, THE HOUSE OF THE SPIRITS (Barrabas) at UC Berkeley, and POOL OF UNKNOWN WONDERS (Gorkys) with Ubuntu Theater Project, now Oakland Theater Project.

WILLIAM C. THOMPSON (Othello Redux, “Iago”), he/him, has worked on stage, film, radio, tv, & street theatre since age 16. He is a proud member of SAG-AFTRA and AEA and has appeared on Chicago Fire & Chicago PD as well as in numerous films and plays. William is represented by The Rock Talent Agency and is delighted to be again working with PlayGround-Chicago.

BRAEDYN YOUNGBERG (The Potion of Love, “Prospero”), 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.