PlayGround-Chicago presents Season 3
in association with Theater Wit

MONDAY NIGHT PLAYGROUND

Topic: “HOLIDAY SURPRISE”
January 6, 2025 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 2024-25 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, 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, Cathy Earnest, 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, 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

JESSIE BOND (Holly’s Jolly Christmas), she/her, is a children’s librarian who moonlights as a playwright, or possibly a playwright who moonlights as a children’s librarian. Her play The Wonder Emporium was produced as part of Dandelion Theatre’s The Ticket Booth. She also wrote multiple children’s shows for Compass Creative Dramatics and wrote and directed Deviants for Elon University’s student production company, Renegade.

RACHEL DUBOSE (Meaningless Things), she/her, is a Chicago based playwright , educator, wife + mother. Her work explores magical realism through the Black lens. Most recently she has worked with Broken Nose Theatre, Definition Theatre and Second Site. She holds a MFA from Northwestern University Writing for the Screen + Stage and a BA in Drama from Spelman College.

TOBY INOUE (23 and Me and Me), she/her, Toby Inoue’s full length play KEEP IT LIGHT just had a staged reading at the 2024 Redtwist Theatre’s Twisted PlayFest. Recent productions of her short plays include KNOTTY ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS and GIBBER (PlayGround-Chicago, 2023-24 season); COUPLE’S THERAPY, GREEK STYLE (One Night Stand Theater, Jun 2024); FRESH STARTS (One Night Stand Theater, Feb 2024); BEST FUNDAY FRIEND (North Park Playwright’s 2023 festival); and THE AUDITION (Media Arts Council, Jul 2022). IG: @toby.inoue; https://wabi-sa.com

BETH KANDER (And to All a Good Night), she/her, is a USA Today best-selling writer and 2024-2025 Dramatists Guild Foundation National Playwriting Fellow. She is the author of the novel I MADE IT OUT OF CLAY and several books for younger readers, and her plays include HAZARDOUS MATERIALS and MOUNTAIN OCTOPUS. The granddaughter of immigrants, her work often explores how worlds old and new intertwine—or collide. Described as a “genre-defying author and playwright” (Oxford American), her work has been called “riveting” and “habit-forming.” A 2024-2025 Dramatists Guild Foundation National Fellow, Beth earned an MSW from the University of Michigan and an MFA in Creative Writing from Mississippi University for Women, where she now serves as visiting faculty. She currently calls Chicagoland home, and is lucky to live with her very favorite characters: her heroic husband, their two hilarious kids, and a giant rescue dog named Oz. Right this moment, she’s probably revising a scene while drinking too much coffee. Representation: Allison Hellegers, Stimola Literary Studio.

J.S. PULLER (Change of Plans), she/her, is a playwright and author from the Windy City, Chicago. She has a master’s degree in elementary education and a bachelor’s degree in theatre from Northwestern University. She is an award-winning member of the American Alliance for Theatre and Education and has written about the social-emotional benefits of arts education with the University of Chicago Consortium on School Research. When not writing, she can usually be found in the theatre. She is the author of two novels, CAPTAIN SUPERLATIVE and THE LOST THINGS CLUB, both published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. She also has several published plays, including: WOMEN WHO WEAVE (Playscripts, Inc.), PERSEUS AND MEDUSA – IT’S ALL GREEK TO ME! (Lazybee Scripts), and THE DEATH OF ROBIN HOOD (Stage Rights).

MATT SCHUTZ (Nom de Plume), 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

ANDREA CONWAY-DIAZ (Meaningless Things, “Natalie“) she/her, is a Chicago-based film and theater actress who just finished playing the role of Louise in the Jeff Recommended production of August Wilson’s play, 7 Guitars, at City Lit Theater. She also had a supporting role in an independent film called “Angels in the Rye” that is now in post-production. Andrea is looking forward to more performance opportunities in 2025!

YVETTE CORRINE (Meaningless Things, “Farren“) she/her, is a multidisciplinary artist, educator, and community organizer based on the westside of Chicago. She graduated from the ACADEMY at Black Box in 2022 and now teaches class there. Recent credits include Dontrell Who Kissed the Sea (Pegasus Theatre) Gut (Platform and Avalanche Theater) A Raisin in the Sun (Beverly Arts Center). This is her third time performing with Playground Chicago. Her work spans various artistic expressions and she is passionate about using the arts as a tool for social change. She is signed with Lily’s Talent Agency. IG: its_ms_yvette

VIVIAN DELGADILLO (23 and Me and Me, “Sarah/Farah/Kara“), 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.

SHERI FLANDERS (Change of Plans, “Diana“), she/her, is a Chicago based writer, comedian, and actor whose work has been featured in many publications including The Chicago Sun-Times and The Chicago Reader, and McSweeney’s. She has performed at the Black Women in Comedy Laff Festival in New York City and in many reputable and disreputable establishments in Chicago.

RUBY GIBSON (And to All a Good Night, “Rebecca“) she/her, is a Chicago-based actor, writer, and dramaturg from Nashville, Tennessee. Since graduating from Northwestern University with a B.A. in Theatre and Playwriting, she’s been thrilled to work on new plays as an actor (Women Who Discovered How to Measure the Universe) and playwright (Improv Playhouse’s TYA tour of The Little Prince). Up next, see her in Saluting the Sun (Steele Productions) at Theatre Wit, or stop by Evanston Public Library for some rad teen arts programs!

JAMES HAYAKAWA (Change of Plans, “Official“), he/him, is a Chicago based performer. He is a recent Protege at Shattered Globe Theatre and appeared on Jeopardy! last year. Graduate of Ball State University, BFA Musical Theatre.

RUTH KAUFMAN (Nom de Plume, “Pat“), she/her, is a former lawyer who played one on Disney+ in Marvel Studios’ “She-Hulk: Attorney at Law.” Credits include Jordan Peele’s “Scare Tactics” reboot, dozens of features, short films, web series and commercials, improv and thousands of voiceovers. Accolades include a Midwest Film Festival best actress nomination. Ask what she did on “America’s Funniest People.” She’s the author of six novels including My Life as an Extra and My Life as a Star (Top Comedy, 3rd Annual Launch Pad Prose Competition). Learn more at ruthtalks.com.

BREANNA LUCAS (Meaningless Things, “Jenn“), she/her, is a Chicago-based writer and performer. This is her first Playground production! She has trained at Second City, Black Box, Lincoln Lodge, and Chicago Dramatists. Recently, she appeared in the feature film, My Little Renaissance Girl (2024).

RONNIE DERRICK LYALL (And to All a Good Night, “Sunil“), he/him, is thrilled to be a part of this production. This is Ronnie’s first Playground production and he could not be more excited for this opportunity. He would like to thank his parents, his brother, and his friends for supporting him in his journey as an actor. Follow Ronnie @ronniedlyall on all social media for updates on his performances.

BEAU MALONE (23 and Me and Me, “Paul“), he/they, is a Chicago-based theatremaker hailing from different places.

OCTAVIO MONTES DE OCA (Holly’s Jolly Christmas, “Nick“), he/him, is a multi-hyphenate theatre artist based in Chicago. As a first-generation Mexican-American, he’s passionate about Latine stories that stem from ethnography, dance, and devised work. He’s a proud company member of the Albany Park Theater Project and an Associate Producer with Subtext Studio Theatre Company. He’s a graduate of the BFA Acting Program at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

DAKOTA PARISET (And to All a Good Night, “Santa Claus“), he/him, is a Chicago actor, producer and playwright originally from Beaver Crossing, NE. A deep heart for the Storefront movement, he’s worked with Chicago Dramatists, Curious Theatre Branch through Rhinofest, Yippiefest, Collaboraction among others, and The Artistic Home where he studies the Meisner Technique. In 2020 he founded The Lightbulb Factory, and serves as the creative director for microChicago which was co-founded in 2023. He is a member of A Short Leap Theatre Company, PlayGround Chicago, The Process(Chicago) and The Apartment Series, and recently performed with 420Shakespeare at YourBudz.

ISABEL LEE RODEN (Nom de Plume, “Keegan”), they/them, is an actor and writer based in Chicago. THEATRE: Twelfth Night, Sense & Sensibility, Macbeth, Much Ado About Nothing, and King Lear (Illinois Shakespeare Festival); A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Julius Caesar (The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, LIVE! Tour); Shakespeare’s R+J (PrideArts); Troilus & Cressida and The School for Lies (The Guthrie Dowling Studio); and The Tempest (Oak Park Festival Theatre). TV/FILM: Chicago Fire (NBC Studios) and Moondays (Atlantic Pictures). Isabel is a graduate of the UMN/Guthrie Theater BFA Actor Training Program. They are represented by Paonessa Talent Agency. | isabelleeroden.com

JUSTINE SERINO (23 and Me and Me, “Mary“), she/her, is very glad to be working with PlayGround-Chicago again after participating in last month’s readings. Some of her Chicago credits include work with The Gift Theatre, Artemisia Theatre, Silk Road Rising, Dandelion Theatre, Babes with Blades, The Side Project, Stage Left and The Artistic Home.

WILLIAM C. THOMPSON (Nom de Plume, “Billie“), he/him, 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 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 (Change of Plans, “Max“), 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 (Holly’s Jolly Christmas, “Holly“), she/her, is a Chicago teaching artist and proud company member of PlayGround Chicago with a love of improv, collaboration, and storytelling. Some of her favorite Chicago credits include THE TALE OF THE WHALE (NTYA), WAKE UP, BROTHER BEAR! (NTYA), ACROSS THE SAND: A PASSOVER THEATRICAL EXPERIENCE (NTYA), HERSHEL AND THE HANUKKAH GOBLINS (Strawdog Theatre Company), FAILURE: A LOVE STORY (Oil Lamp Theater), TREASURE ISLAND (Oil Lamp Theater), CHICAGO WOMEN’S FUNNY FESTIVAL (Stage 773), and various comedy shows at The Second City, The Annoyance Theatre & Bar, and iO Theater where she is a company member of Malarkey Comedy performing in COMEDYSPORTZ, IMPROVISED DCOM, and TWO BIRDS 1 SCONE every Thursday-Saturday. She’s thrilled to be back with PlayGround Chicago and supporting free and accessible theatre.