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★★★½
A significant narrative and emotional achievement! A very distinct kind of thrill, the one that kicks in when you have absoutely no idea where a play is going, except that it is not likely to any place you recall being before in a theater.Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune
written by Anne Washburn
music by Michael Friedman
directed by Jeremy Wechsler
musical direction by Andra Velis Simon
assistant musical direction by Spencer Meeks
choreography by Brigitte Ditmars
A post-apocalyptic tale of survival... passion... and the enduring power of Bart Simpson.
After life as we know it has ended, small bands of survivors band together to keep the pilot light of civilization burning. Their path to redemption is as unexpected as it is inevitable in the most original, vibrant and stunning piece of theater you'll see this year.
- Starring
- Read the reviews
Kelley Abell
Daniel Desmarais
Hannah Gomez
Christina Hall
Andrew Jessop
Leslie Ann Sheppard*
Jeff Trainor
Leah Urzendowski
understudies Clare Cooney, Ann Delaney, Jared Grant, Rachel Melius and Ed Rutherford
"★★★½ A Significant Narrative and Emotional Achievement!"
— Chris Jones,
"★★★★ Terrific!"
— Kris Vire,
"Simply electrifying! The cast is stellar!"
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"A true work of art. Top-notch, brilliantly creative. Really entertaining."
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"Mind-bending, terrifying, hilarious, and moving! Go have your mind blown."
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A post-electric play about Bart Simpson Kills in Chicago
"The best work of director Jeremy Wechsler's career."
"Washburn's script has a very distinct kind of thrill, the one that kicks in when you have absolutely no idea where a play is going, except that it is not likely to be any place you recall being before in a theater.
"This thrill is one of expansiveness of vision — an intellectual rush, a sense of unexplored theatrical possibility, a fearlessness of operation, an understanding of the complex relationship of cultural innovation and populist pulp. Oh, and one more thing: the massive pull of shared experience.
"But wherever you land on the "Simpsons" obsession scale, you should know that "Mr. Burns" is very funny. And that's most of what you need to know."
— Chris Jones,
★★★★ Anne Washburn's three-act play is a wonderfully weird paean to pop culture's place in our lives.
"Interspersed with music by composer Michael Friedman that draws as gleefully from pop culture influences as Washburn’s script, and deftly played out by a crack ensemble of young Chicago actors under Jeremy Wechsler’s direction (and with special commendation due to Mara Blumenfeld and Mieka Van Der Ploeg’s brilliant, scavenger-style costumes), in Theater Wit's terrific Chicago premiere,
— Kris Vire,
Both extremely entertaining and illuminating, you'll find it hard to leave the theatre without buzzing with electricity.
The script is certainly a true work of art and it's clear that Wechsler and the team at Theater Wit recognize the worth of this play and are giving it everything they have.
With a top-notch set (that, really, is three different set designs in one show) by Joe Schermoly (along with Jesse Gaffney on props), lit with precision and skill by Mike Durst, and characters clad in often brilliantly creative costumes by Mara Blumenfeld, the physical look of the show is one of the most stunning and impressive I have ever seen in Chicago storefront theatre.
The cast is uniformly strong. The balance found between all of the actors in this ensemble piece is spot on, and it is a joy to watch.
The choreography couldn't be funnier or more effective.
Though the script is chock-full of intellectual stimulation, Theatre Wit's production of "Mr. Burns" is also, quite simply, really damn entertaining. It's funny, it's witty, it's interesting, and those three acts fly by.
— Elee Schrock,
RECOMMENDED!
"Under the deliberate yet freewheeling direction of Jeremy Wechsler, Theater Wit’s production of
— Alex Huntsberger,
Mind-bending, terrifying, hilarious, and moving!
"Each act opens on a different time and place, and things just get weirder each time the curtain rises. And by weird, I mean wonderful. I’m not going to spoil the story for you, but let it be known that the third act has to be seen to be believed."
"Seriously, this show has it all, and it’s using all of the tools of modern theatre to do it – not big technical splashes, but clever designs, good acting, the right mixture of stillness and explosions. Go have your mind blown with some damn fine theatre."
— Jackie Davies,
Leah Urzendowski
Jenny / Marge / Nelson
Recent Chicago credits include
Kelley Abell
Ms. Krabapel
Kelley Abell is thrilled to be making her Theater Wit debut with
Daniel Desmarais
Matt / Homer / Scratchy
Daniel Desmarais is making his Theater Wit debut. Some of his Chicago credits include:
Hannah Gomez
Colleen / 1st FBI Agent / Lisa
Some of Hannah's Chicago credits include: Gaby in 16th Street Theater’s
Christina Hall
Maria / 2nd FBI Agent / Itchy
Christina is making her Theater Wit debut. Other Chicago credits include
Andrew Jessop
Sam / Mr. Burns
Andrew Jessop is returning to Theater Wit after last performing as Don/Franklin in
Leslie Ann Sheppard
Quincy / Bart
Leslie Ann Sheppard is excited to join Team Burns! Chicago Theatre Credits: Northlight Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre, Classical Kids Live!, Chicago Children’s Theatre, Victory Gardens Biograph, TimeLine Theatre. Regional Credits: Theatre Squared (Fayettville, AR), Illinois Shakespeare Theatre, Chicago Fringe Festival, Bristol Renaissance Faire (Kenosha, WI). International Credits: Classical Kids Live! (Singapore). TV/Film: THE MOB DOCTOR (Fox/FX), POWERS (Pilot ep.) She’s also a musician, playwright and stage combatant, with a BA degree from Illinois State University and is the Artistic Director and a founding company member of the Suitcase Shakespeare Co.
Jeff Trainor
Gibson / Sideshow Bob / Homer
Jeff is the co-creator (along with Lacy Katherine Campbell) of Gashlycrumb Orphanage and they recently performed in the Chicago Humanities Festival. Other acting credits include
Clare Cooney
Understudy
Clare Cooney (Understudy) is thrilled to be part of MR BURNS. Most recently, Clare understudied THE MOUSETRAP at Northlight Theatre. She is a proud graduate of The School of Steppenwolf, Class of 2014. She has performed with Chicago companies such as Redtwist Theatre, Waltzing Mechanics, Circle Theatre, and trip, and performed regionally with Shakespeare at Notre Dame. She also had the pleasure of assistant directing Theater Wit’s Seven Homeless Mammoths Wander New England last season. Clare is a graduate of The University of Notre Dame and a proud Detroit native. Clare is represented by Gray Talent Group.
Ann Delaney
Understudy
Ann Delaney (Understudy) is so excited to be a part of her first production here at Theater Wit. She recently graduated from Columbia College Chicago with a BFA in musical theater. She was last seen understudying with The Hypocrites for their Gilbert and Sullivan Rep and world premier production of All Our Tragic. Enjoy the show!
Jared Grant
Understudy
Jared Grant (Understudy) is very excited to be working as understudy in this production of Mr. Burns, A Post Electric Play. Jared graduated from Columbia College Chicago as a Musical Theatre Performance major Some of Jared’s theatre credits include Performer in Let My People Come for Street Tempo Theatre Co., in Chicago Slam Works Dead or Alive series, and his most recent job was with Child’s Play Touring Theatre as a company member. He thanks his friends and family for all the love and support they have given him throughout the years.
Rachel Melius
Understudy
Rachel Melius (Understudy) is very excited to be a part of the Mr. Burns team! A native of Nashville, TN, Rachel recently graduated with a BFA in Musical Theatre from Columbia College Chicago. Since graduation she has been a part of Sisters of Swing (Fox Valley Rep) as well as the Chicago premiere of Toulouse: The Musical. Other recent credits include Hairspray, Violet, and Chicago! Much love and many thanks to her family and friends for their support and overall craziness.
Ed Rutherford
Understudy
Ed Rutherford (Understudy) is pumped to be back at Theater Wit, after barking like a dog in Feydeau-Si-Deau back in the day. A proud Northwestern grad, previous acting gigs include work with Drury Lane Oakbrook, Porchlight, Light Opera Works, Strange Tree Group, and Promethean Theatre Ensemble where he is an artistic associate. As a director, Ed’s recent projects include the Midwest premiere of the musical Coraline and Brecht’s The Caucasian Chalk Circle for Promethean. Next up, if rumor is to be believed: a certain writing project involving a Unicorn. Love to family and friends.
Anne Washburn
Playwright
Anne Washburn (Playwright)’s plays include The Internationalist, A Devil at Noon, Apparition, The Communist Dracula Pageant, I Have Loved Strangers, The Ladies, The Small, and a transadaptation of Euripides’ Orestes. 10 out of 12 premieres at Soho Rep in NYC this Spring. Washburn’s work has been produced by 13P, Actors Theatre of Louisville, The Almeida, American Repertory Theatre, Cherry Lane Theatre, Clubbed Thumb, The Civilians, Dixon Place, Ensemble Studio Theater, The Folger, The Gate, Playwrights Horizons, DC’s Studio Theatre, Two River Theater Company, The Vineyard, and Woolly Mammoth. Awards include a Guggenheim, a NYFA Fellowship, a Time Warner Fellowship, Susan Smith Blackburn finalist, residencies at MacDowell and Yaddo, She is an associated artist with The Civilians, Clubbed Thumb, New Georges, and is an alumna of New Dramatists and 13P. Currently commissioned by MTC, Soho Rep, and Yale Rep.
Jeremy Wechsler
Director
JEREMY WECHSLER (Director) is the Executive Artistic Director of Theater Wit where he has directed the Chicago premieres of MR BURNS: A POST-ELECTRIC PLAY (Anne Washburn/Michael Friedman), SEVEN HOMELESS MAMMOTHS WANDER NEW ENGLAND (Madeleine George), COMPLETENESS (Moses), TIGERS BE STILL (Kim Rosenstock), THIS (Melissa James Gibson), THE FOUR OF US (Itamar Moses) FEYDEAU-SI-DEAU (Georges Feydeau), MEN OF STEEL (Qui Nguyen), THOM PAIN (BASED ON NOTHING) (Will Eno), TWO FOR THE SHOW (James Fitzpatrick and Will Clinger) and annual favorite THE SANTALAND DIARIES (David Sedaris and Joe Mantello). He has directed over sixty shows in the last twenty years at various theatres, including: A TASTE OF HONEY (Shelagh Delaney, “US Best of 2008” in The Wall Street Journal), THE FLU SEASON (Will Eno), NOW THEN AGAIN (Penny Penniston), THE PLAY ABOUT THE SQUIRREL (Mia McCullough), THE WHITE DEVIL (John Webster), THIS IS NOT A PLAY ABOUT CANCER (Moseley/Illiatovitch-Goldman), PEER GYNT (Ibsen), THE REAL THING (Tom Stoppard), SZINHAZ (Itamar Moses), THE DUCHESS OF MALFI (John Webster), TRAGEDY A TRAGEDY (Will Eno), TITUS ANDRONICUS (Shakespeare), THE ROARING GIRL (Thomas Middleton), FLIGHT (Mikhail Bulgakov), THE MOST FABULOUS STORY EVERY TOLD (Paul Rudnick), THIS IS THE RILL SPEAKING (Lanford Wilson), HAY FEVER (Noel Coward), A MONTH IN THE COUNTRY (Brian Friel), EUROPE (David Grieg), HENRY VI: BLOOD OF A NATION (Shakespeare), THE PROMISE (Jose Rivera), SHINHAZ (Itamar Moses), UN ROBOT (Laura Jacqmin), THE COARSE ACTING SHOW (Michael Green) LIFE IS A DREAM (Calderon), THE PRISONER’S DILEMMA (David Edgar), CABARET (Kander/Ebb) and THE THREEPENNY OPERA (Brecht). He is currently preparing Joshua Harmon’s BAD JEWS. His productions have been nominated for and won multiple awards for design, performance, adaptation and best new work.
Andra Velis Simon
Music Director
Andra Velis Simon (Music Director) is very happy to be working with Theater Wit for the first time! Andra is the Musical Director for the Theatre Department at Columbia College Chicago, where she also teaches performance courses for musical theater majors. Recent projects include co-arranging and music directing The Hypocrites’ new adaptations of H.M.S. Pinafore, Pirates of Penzance and The Mikado at the Den, Chopin, Steppenwolf Garage, A.R.T. and Actors Theatre of Louisville. A music director, vocal coach, arranger and pianist, Andra has had the pleasure of working with dozens of Chicago theatres, including The Goodman, Chicago Children’s, Bailiwick, Boho, Chicago Opera Vanguard, Victory Gardens, and many others. Huge thanks to everyone involved with Mr. Burns, and special thanks as always to Jamie.
Spencer Meeks
Assistant Music Director
Spencer Meeks (Asst. Music Director) is a self proclaimed Chicago native who studied performance and writing at Columbia College. Some of his most recent musical endeavors include: Guitar/Bass/AMD for Violet, Conductor/AMD for The Photographer, both under Andra Velis Simon. He has also music directed The Rocky Horror Show (Underscore Theatre Co.), Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (Wolfbane Productions) as well as composing for Dark of the Moon (Wolfbane Productions) and The Tempest (Columbia College). You will be able to find him on state street outside of the Disney store singing “Let It Go” with his band Mary, Queen of Scots once the weather outside warms up.
Brigitte Ditmars
Choreographer
BRIGITTE DITMARS (Choreographer) is very happy to be part of the MR. BURNS team. Recent choreography credits include CARRIE at Bailiwick Chicago Theatre, HEY! DANCIN’! HEY! MUSICAL! at Factory Theatre, NUNSENSE at Fox Valley Repertory, and THE NEXT THING at Signal Ensemble Theatre. Additional credits include Fox Valley Repertory’s, FOREVER PLAID, Strawdog Theatre’s IMPROBABLE FREQUENCY, Circle Theatre’s REEFER MADNESS (Non-Equity Jeff Award Recipient) Hell In a Handbag’s POSEIDON! AN UPSIDE-DOWN MUSICAL (Non-Equity Jeff Award Nomination) IN TROUSERS at Porchlight Music Theatre, CINDERELLA at Emerald City Theatre, CAMP NIMROD FOR GIRLS at Live Bait Theatre ((Non-Equity Jeff Award Nomination) and Bailiwick Repertory’s PINAFORE! (Non-Equity Jeff Award Recipient) She has created specialty dances for productions with Raven Theatre, Signal Ensemble Theatre, and Infamous Commonwealth Theatre as well as staging numbers for cabaret performers With a Twist. Brigitte is an artistic associate at Signal Ensemble Theatre and Hell In A Handbag Productions. This one’s for Matt, her favorite Simpson’s fan.
Joe Schermoly
Scenic Design
JOE SCHERMOLY (Set Design) is overjoyed by the chance to make this play with Jeremy and Theatre Wit. He designed Seven Homeless Mammoths and Completeness in the last two years and is proud to continue the strong relationship he has with this theatre. Joe is also an ensemble member with the Griffin Theatre where he has designed and built many sets including Titanic, Spelling Bee, Flare Path, Punk Rock, Port, Constant Wife. Some of his other work has been seen at Lifeline Theatre (Tale of Two Cities, The Count of Monte Cristo), Sideshow (Stupid Fucking Bird, Idomeneus, The Ugly One) and Seanachai (The Seafarer, Lay Me Down Softly). Joe studied set design at Northwestern University and is the Technical Director at Lifeline Theatre. He has received two After Dark Awards and two Jeff Nominations. See more of his work at www.joeschermoly.com
Mike Durst
Lighting Design
Mike Durst (Lighting Design) Previously for Theater Wit: This, Tigers Be Still, and The Santaland Diaries for the last seven years. Recent Chicago designs include Our Class (Jeff nomination), Both Your Houses (Remy Bumppo); Still Alice, The Great Fire (Lookingglass Theatre); The Opponent, Mud Blue Sky, Simpatico (A Red Orchid Theatre..Ensemble Member). Other theatres: About Face, Pegasus Players, Adventure Stages, Profiles, The Neo-Futurists, and others. National Tour of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia The Nightman Cometh. Off-Broadway: Extinction (Cherry Lane); Secrets of the Trade (Primary Stages); The Opponent (Red Orchid NYC). Mike also serves as a lighting consultant for theatrical renovations including the Gray Center at University of Chicago and Circle Theater in Los Angeles. Mike has received Chicago’s Jeff Award (Equity Wing), Los Angeles’s Ovation Award, and San Diego’s Craig Noel Award.
Mara Blumenfeld
Costume Design
Mara Blumenfeld (Costume Design) is happy to be back at Theater Wit where she has previously designed The Santaland Diaries. Chicago design credits include numerous productions at The Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Court Theatre, and Lookingglass Theatre Company, where she is an ensemble member. Her work has been seen extensively at regional theatres around the country and internationally. She is the recipient of four Jeff Awards and the 2012 Michael Merritt Award.
Mieka van der Ploeg
Costume Design
Mieka van der Ploeg (Costume Design) has designed costumes for a variety of Chicago theaters, including About Face Theatre, Next Theatre, The Building Stage, the House Theatre, Griffin Theatre, Albany Park Theater Project, Dog and Pony Theatre, RedTwist Theatre, Pegasus Players, the side project, and Filament Theatre Ensemble. She is currently the costume shop manager at Lookingglass Theatre. Further credits include wig and make-up work at The Lyric Opera, Chicago Opera Theater, and the Goodman, as well as assisting at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Broadway in Chicago, Victory Gardens, and the Court Theatre.
Jesse Gaffney
Properties Design
Jesse Gaffney (Properties Design) is excited to be working with Theater Wit for the first time on such a fantastic project. Elsewhere in Chicago, Jesse is the resident props designer with Silk Road Rising, and an Artistic Associate at 16th Street theatre. She has created props for productions at Depaul University, Remy Bumppo, Victory Gardens, Lifeline, Route 66, Immediate Family, Chicago Children’s Theatre, and Congo Square among others. Outside of Chicago, Jesse worked for Peninsula Players (WI), Stages St. Louis (MO), Allenberry Playhouse (PA), The Arrow Rock Lyceum (MO), and Notre Dame Shakespeare (IN). You can follow her work on her blog at theatreprojects.blogspot.com.
Christopher Kriz
Sound Design
Christopher Kriz (Sound Design) is an award winning composer and sound designer for theatre, film and dance based in Chicago and is pleased to be working again with Theater Wit, having previously designed Seven Homeless Mammoths…, Tigers Be Still, This and Spin. In Chicago, Kriz has designed for Northlight, Steppenwolf, Writers, Goodman, Victory Gardens, Next Theatre, Timeline, First Folio, Teatro Vista, Lifeline, Rivendell and dozens of others. For his work in theatre, Kriz has received 11 Joseph Jefferson Nominations and 2 Awards, most recently nominated for Cicada (Route 66) and Mill Fire (Shattered Globe). Recent regional credits include Butler and The Mystery Of Irma Vep (Peninsula Players) and The Taste Of It (Ballybeg Theatre). Recent and upcoming Chicago credits include Tamer Of Horses (Teatro Vista), A Kid Like Jake (About Face), The Rose Tattoo (Shattered Globe), Titanic (Griffin Theatre), The Downpour (Route 66), Agreed Upon Fictions (16th Street), Jane Eyre (Lifeline), Bethany (Gift Theatre) and The Gravedigger (First Folio). This Spring, Lifeline Theatre will be producing Kriz’s new musical Soon I Will Be Invincible. Kriz is a proud member of United Scenic Artists 829. To hear more of his work, please visit www.christopherkriz.com
Michael Stanfill
Projection Design
Michael Stanfill (Projection Designer) is thrilled to be working with Theater Wit again (Completeness, Jeff Nominated). Favorite Video/Projection Designs around the region include: Hotel Cassiopeia (Wheaton College), Pool (no water) (Vitalist Theater), The Gingerbread House (Red Tape), The Life and Times of Tulsa Lovechild (Roosevelt University), Enola, The Promise (Side Project), Sunset Blvd, Children of Eden (Timber Lake Playhouse), …Things I Found on Craigslist (University of Illinois Chicago), Thinner Than Water (The Gift), The Sisters of Swing (Fox Valley), The Normal Heart (TimeLine, Jeff Nominated), The Whaleship Essex (Shattered Globe), Cats (Paramount Theater), The Hundred Flowers Project (Silk Road Rising). He holds an MFA from Northwestern University. Please visit www.michaelstanfilldesign.com
Geoff Coates
Fight Choreography
Geoff Coates (Fight Choreography) is a freelance Fight Director with over 21 years and 50 productions worth of experience working in Chicago theatre. Geoff received Joseph Jefferson Awards in Outstanding Fight Choreography for Action Movie: The Director’s Cut (Defiant Theatre) with Joe Foust in 2005, The Talisman Ring (Lifeline Theatre) in 2006, The Mark of Zorro (Lifeline Theatre) in 2008, and Treasure Island (Lifeline Theatre)in 2009, as well as After Dark Awards in Outstanding Fight Direction for The Kentucky Cycle (Infamous Commonwealth) in 2005 and The Mark Of Zorro (Lifeline Theatre) in 2008. Geoff strives to explore the causality of conflict, and express it through dynamic and realistic physical action, cunning and inventive spectacle, and a desire to entertain and educate.
Barbara Charlene
Audience Designer, Assistant Fight Director
Barbara Charlene (Audience Designer, Assistant Fight Director) is a Chicago-based Actor, Fight Director, and Stage Manager, and is thrilled to be working again with Theater Wit. Past Audience Design shows include Seven Homeless Mammoths Wander New England. In Chicago, she has worked as a fight director with Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Red Theatre Company, Jedlicka Performing Arts Center, Big Noise Productions, Towle Theatre, Gary Shakespeare Company, and Halcyon Theatre Company. She has worked on the Broadway production of Spring Awakening, and with Roundabout Theatre Company on Crimes of the Heart. She was nominated for a New York Innovative Theatre Award for her fight choreography on The Accidental Patriot with Stolen Chair Theatre Company. Barbara teaches SAFD stage combat actor certification classes at Vagabond School of the Arts and also jousts as Sloan Kelly with Paragon Jousting and Adventure Theatre. Barbara holds an MFA in Acting from Western Illinois University, is a Certified Teacher with the Society of American Fight Directors, and is currently at Columbia College Chicago, earning her GL-CMA in Labanalysis and Bartenieff Fundamentals. www.barbaracharlene.com
Majel Cuza
Production Manager
Majel Cuza (Production Manager) is really excited to be a part of Mr. Burns at Theater Wit where she is the production manager on staff. At Theater Wit, Majel has worked on the most recent Santaland Diaries, Seven Homeless Mammoths Wander New England, Mythical Proportions, and Completeness. Majel also works with Windy City Playhouse and the Griffin, where she worked on Titanic, Men Should Weep, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and The Burnt Part Boys. She has also worked with many other companies, such as The Chicago Commercial Collective, Red Tape, InFusion, and Soul Theater.
Katie Klemme
Stage Manager
Katie Klemme (Stage Manager) Theater Wit credits include Spin, Seven Homeless Mammoths Wander New England (Chicago & Las Vegas), and three seasons of The Santaland Diaries. Other recent credits include Let Me Down Easy, Mercy Strain, columbinus (Boston and Chicago), the world premiere of Disgraced (2013 Pulitzer Prize), Rent, The Original Grease, among many others at American Theater Company where she has been a resident stage manager since 2008, as well as The Pride (About Face Theatre), the world premiere of Saudade: Dreams and Longing (The Music Theatre Company). Katie is on faculty at Loyola University Chicago where she teaches stage management.
Mikey Laird
Assistant Director
Mikey Laird (Assitant Director) is a graduate of Illinois State University and a Chicago based director, writer, producer, and administrator. He is one of the co-founders of Nothing Special Productions, and currently serves as Artistic Director. He has directed nearly a dozen productions with NSP (including The Most Ado: A Party Play, A Mid-Life Something, and coming in Spring 2015, The Rise and Fall of the Mad King … of Scotland) and has also directed for Cold Basement Dramatics (Henry Moore is Melting by Jenny Seidelman) and Emergent Theatre (Coyote on a Fence by Bruce Graham). When he is not directing, Mikey can be found managing the Box Office at Theater Wit or serving up half priced tickets at HotTix.
Rebecca Willingham
Assistant Director
Rebecca Willingham (Assistant Director) is pleased to be working with Theater Wit for the first time. Her previous credits include directing The Sacred Schizoid Heart (Prologue Theatre Company) and assistant directing Cicada (Route 66), strangers, babies (Steep Theatre), The Seafarer (Irish Theatre of Chicago), The Land of Smiles (Chicago Folks Operetta), The Chimes (Remy Bumppo), and The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby (Lyric Stage Company of Boston). She is a graduate of Emerson College and the National Theatre Institute.
Brian Claggett
Co-Technical Director
BRIAN CLAGGETT (Co-Technical Director) is thrilled to join Theater Wit for the first time. He has recently the Technical Director on Hank Williams: Lost Highway, American Myth (American Blues Theatre); Rough Crossing (Jeff Nomination), Salvage, Merry Wives of Windsor (First Folio Theatre); The Downpour (Route 66). Brian was also the Technical Director for Old Jews Telling Jokes. Other theatres include Victory Gardens and Profiles. Carpentry credits include: Ella, Low Down and Dirty Blues and Better Late all for Northlight and Court Theatre’s Orlando, An Iliad, Invisible Man, Angels in America: Millennium Approaches and Perestroika, Proof, Native Son and Iphigenia in Aulis.
Isaac Schoepp
Co-Technical Director
Isaac Schoepp (Co-Technical Director) is very happy to be working on Mr Burns at Theater Wit. He currently serves as Master Carpenter for Lookingglass Theatre. Past TD gigs include Magical Exploding Boy and Lost and Found: A Recycled Circus at the Actors Gymnasium, and 500 Clown: Trapped with 500 Clown. He has done special project work for Actors Gym, Manual Cinema, Physical Festival of Chicago, and the Court Theatre. He is also the staff Rigging Specialist at the Actors Gymnasium, and was the Assistant Rigger on Peter Pan: A Play, Cascabel, The Little Prince, and Lookingglass Alice all at Lookingglass Theatre. When not engaged in carpentry or rigging, Isaac can also be seen acting and directing around Chicagoland.
Jenna Portenlanger
Intern
Jenna Portenlanger (Intern) is a recent college graduate who is happy to be working on this production of Mr Burns. She graduated from Northeastern Illinois University with a major in art and a minor in theatre, giving her an active interest in all parts of the theatrical creative process. She has worked as an actor in Stage Center Theatre productions of As You Like it and Twelfth Night, as well as sound design and assistant stage management of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Additionally, she has done acting, set design, and instrumentation of Children’s Theatre Workshop productions of The Love for Three Oranges and Anne and the Tiger Raja, and sound design for the original production of Me and Auntie Mae with Stage Center’s Studio Series.
Two Birds Casting
Casting
Two Birds Casting (Casting) was founded in 2010 by Erica Sartini-Combs and Hannah Fenlon. 2BC serves the as a freelance casting company for the Chicagoland off-loop community. The team has worked with theatres such as Theater Wit, Windy City Playhouse, Profiles Theatre, About Face Theatre, Collaboraction Theatre Company, Piven Theatre Workshop, Red Tape Theatre and Signal Ensemble Theatre and more. To find out more about their services visit twobirdscasting.com.
* indicates a member of Actors Equity, the association of professional actors and stage managers