The Understudy

LET ME BE BRIEF: An Evening With The Neo-Fututists
2023-07-19 19:30 - 21:30 (America/Chicago) | The Understudy, 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640, Chicago, IL, 60613, United States
At last, an experimental theater company has adapted a grammar handbook! Elements of Style is the Neo-Futurists’ visually-accessible response to the little book. Please join us for a selection of film and performance works from across our developmental process. Meet the team and find out more about the show, now playing at the Neo-Futurist Theater.
Doors open at 7 PM, our program begins at 7:30 PM. Enjoy refreshments from the cafe; BYOB is also welcomed.
CLICK HERE to Reserve

Summer & Smoke: A Community Cabaret
2023-07-18 20:00 - 22:00 | The Understudy, 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640, Chicago, IL, 60613, United States
Join the Understudy and our friends from Kokandy Productions for our first-ever cabaret. BOOK CLUB brings together theatre artists from our community to show off favorite pieces from their audition book.

The inaugural edition of BOOK CLUB, SUMMER & SMOKE features performances by Grace Bobber, Maddison Denault, Zöe DePreta, Tiffany T. Taylor and more…

Tickets available soon!

SM-GO: SMA Collaborator Party
2023-07-17 19:00 - 21:00 | The Understudy, 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640, Chicago, IL, 60613, United States
EVENT DETAILS
Stage managers are having a party, and you’re invited! Bring your favorite stage manager friend, or, if you’re a stage manager, bring your favorite theater person. Join us for a casual hangout featuring theater trivia, a scavenger hunt and impromptu conversations.

Our wonderful hosts at The Understudy will have the cafe open for us, but you are also welcome to BYOB.

SAVE YOUR SEAT

WITCH by Jen Silverman
2023-07-13 20:00 - 22:00 | The Understudy, 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640, Chicago, IL, 60613, United States
ABOUT THE PLAY
A charming devil arrives in the quiet village of Edmonton to bargain for the souls of its residents in exchange for their darkest wishes. Elizabeth should be his easiest target, having been labeled a “witch” and cast out by the town, but her soul is not so readily bought. As the devil returns to convince her – and then returns again – unexpected passions flare, alliances are formed, and the village is forever changed. An inventive retelling of a Jacobean drama, this sharp, subversive fable debates how much our souls are worth when hope is hard to come by.
CLICK HERE to Reserve Tickets
CAST
Matthew Lunt…..Sir Arthur Banks
Ben Murphy…..Frank Thorney
JJ Sheehan…..Cuddy Banks
Ander Shunneson…..Scratch
Preeti Thaker…..Elizabeth Sawyer
Izzy Valdés…..Winnifred
Casey Whisler…..Stage Directions

ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT
Jen Silverman is a playwright, novelist, poet and screenwriter. Jen’s plays include Collective Rage: A Play in 5 Betties (Woolly Mammoth, MCC, Southwark Playhouse London); The Moors (Yale Rep, Playwrights Realm); The Roommate (Humana Festival, Williamstown, Steppenwolf, South Coast, Long Wharf) and Witch (Writer’s Theatre, Geffen, Huntington). Jen’s plays have been produced internationally in Australia, the UK, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Spain, and elsewhere. Jen is the author of the debut novel We Play Ourselves and the story collection The Island Dwellers (Random House) and the poetry chapbook Bath, selected by Traci Brimhall for Driftwood Press. Additional work has appeared in Vogue, The Paris Review, Literary Hub, Ploughshares, the Yale Review and elsewhere. Jen wrote The Miranda Obsession as a narrative podcast for Audible/ Vice, starring Rachel Brosnahan. Jen is a three-time MacDowell Fellow, a member of New Dramatists, and an Affiliated Artist with New Georges, Clubbed Thumb, Space on Ryder Farm, and the Playwrights Center. Honors: The Helen Merrill Award, the Yale Drama Series Award, the Lilly Award, Fellowships from the New York Foundation for the Arts and the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council. Jen is a 2022 National Endowment for the Arts Fellow (prose) and 2022 Guggenheim Fellow (theatre). Jen also writes for TV and film. Education: Brown, Iowa, Juilliard.

WITCH by Jen Silverman
2023-07-12 20:00 - 22:00 | The Understudy, 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640, Chicago, IL, 60613, United States
UPDATE: Sold Out! Stay tuned for an additional date!
ABOUT THE PLAY
A charming devil arrives in the quiet village of Edmonton to bargain for the souls of its residents in exchange for their darkest wishes. Elizabeth should be his easiest target, having been labeled a “witch” and cast out by the town, but her soul is not so readily bought. As the devil returns to convince her – and then returns again – unexpected passions flare, alliances are formed, and the village is forever changed. An inventive retelling of a Jacobean drama, this sharp, subversive fable debates how much our souls are worth when hope is hard to come by.
CAST
Matthew Lunt…..Sir Arthur Banks
Ben Murphy…..Frank Thorney
JJ Sheehan…..Cuddy Banks
Ander Shunneson…..Scratch
Preeti Thaker…..Elizabeth Sawyer
Izzy Valdés…..Winnifred
Casey Whisler…..Stage Directions

ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT
Jen Silverman is a playwright, novelist, poet and screenwriter. Jen’s plays include Collective Rage: A Play in 5 Betties (Woolly Mammoth, MCC, Southwark Playhouse London); The Moors (Yale Rep, Playwrights Realm); The Roommate (Humana Festival, Williamstown, Steppenwolf, South Coast, Long Wharf) and Witch (Writer’s Theatre, Geffen, Huntington). Jen’s plays have been produced internationally in Australia, the UK, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Spain, and elsewhere. Jen is the author of the debut novel We Play Ourselves and the story collection The Island Dwellers (Random House) and the poetry chapbook Bath, selected by Traci Brimhall for Driftwood Press. Additional work has appeared in Vogue, The Paris Review, Literary Hub, Ploughshares, the Yale Review and elsewhere. Jen wrote The Miranda Obsession as a narrative podcast for Audible/ Vice, starring Rachel Brosnahan. Jen is a three-time MacDowell Fellow, a member of New Dramatists, and an Affiliated Artist with New Georges, Clubbed Thumb, Space on Ryder Farm, and the Playwrights Center. Honors: The Helen Merrill Award, the Yale Drama Series Award, the Lilly Award, Fellowships from the New York Foundation for the Arts and the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council. Jen is a 2022 National Endowment for the Arts Fellow (prose) and 2022 Guggenheim Fellow (theatre). Jen also writes for TV and film. Education: Brown, Iowa, Juilliard.

I Can't... I Have TRIVIA
2023-07-10 19:30 - 21:30 | The Understudy, 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640, Chicago, IL, 60613, United States
📚 TRIVIA 📚
Theatre nerds, your time has come! Join us at 7:30 on July 10th to flex your theatre knowledge. We recommend playing with a team of four. Hosted by our friend Patrick Zakem, each round will test your knowledge of a different facet of theatre history, current events, or culture. Think you’ve got what it takes to triumph? Don’t miss it!
No need to RSVP, just bring your team on the 10th!

ABSENCE OF PROOF Launch Party
2023-07-08 19:00 - 22:00 | The Understudy, 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640, Chicago, IL, 60613, United States
Sober, sober curious, or just trying to be a more conscientious drinker? Join us for the Chicago launch of Absence of Proof, a boozeless take on a night out.
Included in your ticket are unlimited non-alcoholic drinks:
-We’ll shake up 4 Cocktails with non-alcoholic spirits from Spiritless
-Ready to Drink Options from Curious Elixirs & Mingle Mocktails
-Wine from Surely Wines
-Beer from Peroni
-Seltzer from Liquid Death

GRAB A TICKET

Please note (IMPORTANT):

This event is 21+.
All drinks offered will be below 0.5% ABV (non-alcoholic). Some drinks will utilize non-alcoholic spirits that mimic the taste and aroma of alcohol, without the intoxicating effects. If you are in recovery or are potentially triggered by the taste of alcohol, please do not consume these beverages. Our events also mimic the environment of a bar (music, socializing, and may be held in venues that otherwise serve alcohol). If this is triggering, please do not attend.
If you are pregnant or nursing, please consult with your healthcare provider before consuming any of our beverages. Your doctor can provide personalized advice based on your individual circumstances.
Our beverages are not guaranteed to be Halal or Vegan. Upon request, we are happy to provide full ingredient lists. We understand that everyone has unique preferences and dietary requirements and our number one priority is respecting your individual choices. We encourage you to reach out to us with any questions or concerns that may not have been addressed here.

TGNC Theatre Maker's Meetup
2023-07-03 19:00 - 21:00 | The Understudy, 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640, Chicago, IL, 60613, United States
🏳️‍⚧️MEETUP🏳️‍⚧️
Trans and gender non-conforming theatre makers, Join us July 3rd for an evening of community and connection.
We’re hanging out 7pm to 9pm and keeping the cafe open for refreshments.
BYOB also welcomed.
Don’t miss this!
Click Here to Reserve a Free Spot

DEATH BECOMES THEATRE with Haven Theatre
2023-06-30 20:00 - 21:30 | The Understudy, 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640, Chicago, IL, 60613, United States
Death Becomes Theatre: An Evening with the Director and Cast of The Art of Bowing
Join us on June 30th at 8 pm for an exclusive sneak peek into Haven Chicago’s newest world premiere, The Art of Bowing. When three actors stumble onto an empty stage, they realize the theatre has died. In a last-ditch effort to revive it, they go on a journey through time and space to figure out the secret to what it takes to bear a creative soul in this modern world.
After a reading from the play, join in a discussion as director Ian Damont Martin and actors David Goodloe, Beck Nolan, and Bryanna Colon navigate the landscape of what theatre is now, how the Chicago theatrical scene has changed, and what it means to participate in an art form as old as human history. Set in the cosy atmosphere of The Understudy, we look forward to a night of exploration with you.
This event is free and open to the public, doors open at 7:30 pm.
CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS
Photo L to R
Ian Damont Martin, David Goodloe, Bryanna Colon, Beck Nolan

CAFE QUEENS: A Drag Show / Latte Art Throwdown
2023-06-28 18:30 - 22:30 | IL
UPDATE 6/14/23: Attendee and Competitor tickets SOLD OUT. Waitlist begins at 6PM the evening of the event.
The Understudy is proud to host its first-ever latte art throwdown, presented in collaboration with Metric Coffee. Expect our signature dramatic flair.
Join The Understudy for an evening of fierce looks, fierce competition, and fabulous prizes. Top competitors can walk away with up to $200 cash, plus prizes from Fellow, La Marzocco, Steppenwolf Theatre, and more.
Pizza provided by our friends at Pizza Lobo.
We’re kicking off our night with performances by Lezbian Minelli, Yuiza Beach, Kerosene, and Betty Theft, PLUS cameos by members of The Understudy team.
DJ set by Luke Cimarusti
PRIZES:
First Place: $200
Second Place: $150
Third Place: $100
PLUS prizes from Fellow, La Marzocco, Metric Coffee, The Neofuturists, Steppenwolf Theatre, and Women and Children First Bookstore.
PLEASE NOTE: this event is 21+. No underage attendees or competitors will be permitted.

The Model Play by Madie Doppelt
2023-06-26 19:30 - 21:30 | The Understudy, 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640, Chicago, IL, 60613, United States
ABOUT THE PLAY
In the world of modeling, to “fit in” is to contort: socially, physically, mentally. In 1987, six young professionals seem to have fitting in down to a science…or so they think. Unsupervised and unfiltered, these models confront growing up while breaking down. What will they do to stay in vogue?

ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT
Madie Doppelt (she/her) is a Chicago-based theater and circus artist. She is a recent graduate of The Theatre School at DePaul University, where she earned a BFA in Playwriting and a BA English Literature. Madie is the Associate Artistic Director of the Actors Gymnasium, as well as a writer/reviewer for Rescripted.
Recent credits include: VILLETTE (Asst. Director, Lookingglass Theatre Company), SUB-CULTURE (Playwright, Interrobang Theatre Project), HONEY GIRLS (Dramaturg, DePaul University), and MATILDA THE MUSICAL (Asst. Circus Consultant, Northwestern University).

CAST
Zoe………Casey Whisler
Iris……….Isabella Maria Valdés
Elena…..John Payne
Paola….Sharon Pasia
Jules…Magdalena Dalzell
Stage Directions….Sonya Madrigal

ENDER'S GAY by Salwa Meghjee
2023-06-23 20:30 - 22:30 | The Understudy, 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640, Chicago, IL, 60613, United States
ABOUT THE PLAY
Laiba is a queer teenage girl who is obsessed with proving that Ender from the book Ender’s Game is gay, despite the author’s documented homophobia. She comes to believe that she is Ender and must fall in gay love with her classmate Jannat to save the world.
Runtime: One Hour
DOORS OPEN at 8pm
READING BEGINS at 8:30pm
CAST
Nadya Naumaan
Pooj
Scott Adkins
Directed by Arti Ishak
Written by Salwa Meghjee

The Birth of Second City and the Renaissance of Chicago Theater
2023-06-18 19:30 - 21:00 | The Understudy, 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640, Chicago, IL, 60613, United States
EVENT DETAILS:
Join us for a fascinating discussion of Chicago theatre history, as we celebrate the launch of the second edition of Something Wonderful Right Away: The Birth of Second City—America’s Greatest Comedy Theater by Jeffrey Sweet.
Doors open right at 7:00p for a 7:30p start to the talk. Please have your ticket ready to show The Understudy staff. A limited cafe drink menu will be available to all who attend.
The evening will begin with an introduction and discission followed by a Q&A session with the authors. The evening will end with a book signing with copies of the book available for purchase along with merch from The Understudy Coffee and Books.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
Chris Jones is the longtime chief theater critic and Sunday culture columnist of the Chicago Tribune, where he has been on staff since 2002. Throughout the 1990s, he covered Broadway and its tours for Variety. He is author of Bigger, Brighter, Louder: 150 Years of Chicago Theater (2013) and his work has appeared often in the New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and many other publications. Jones read Drama at the University of Hull, UK, and has a PhD from The Ohio State University. In 2011, Jones was named by American Theater magazine as one of the most influential theater critics in America. In 2014, he became the director of the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center’s National Critics Institute in Waterford, Connecticut. Jones is a winner of the George Jean Nathan Award for Dramatic Criticism, the most prestigious honor for drama critics in the United States.
Mark Larson is the author of Ensemble: An Oral History of Chicago Theater, for which he conducted over 300 interviews with Chicago theater artists. His new book, Working in the 21st Century: An Oral History will be released in February 2024. He is currently working on Ed Asner: A Composite Portrait.
Jeffrey Sweet is a founding resident writer of Chicago’s Tony Award-winning Victory Gardens Theater, where many of his plays (including The Value of Names, Porch, Flyovers, The Action Against Sol Schumann, and Court-Martial at Fort Devens) have premiered before playing on stages around the world. His book, The Dramatist’s Toolkit, is a widely-used text on playwriting, and The O’Neill is a history of the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center. Among the actors who have starred in his scripts are Ellen Burstyn, Alan Bates, Richard Kind, Nathan Lane, Jon Cryer, William Petersen, Amy Morton, Gary Cole, Jack Klugman, and Megan Mullally.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Discover the behind-the-scenes story of how The Second City theater created a generation of world class great actors, directors, and writers.
In the late Fifties and Sixties, iconoclastic young rebels in Chicago opened two tiny theaters—The Compass and The Second City—where they satirized politics, religion, and sex. Building scenes by improvising based on audience suggestions turned out to be a fine way to develop great actors, directors, and writers. Alumni went on to create such groundbreaking works as The Graduate, Groundhog Day, and Don’t Look Up. Many of them also became stars on Saturday Night Live. Something Wonderful Right Away features the pioneers of the empire that transformed American comedy.
This new edition tells even more of the story. Included for the first time is an interview with Viola Spolin, the genius who invented theater games that were the foundation of improvisational theater. Also included are dozens of follow-up stories about Mike Nichols, Barbara Harris, Del Close, Joan Rivers, Alan Arkin, and Gilda Radner, plus “You Only Shoot the Ones You Love,” the story of how this book’s author, playwright Jeffrey Sweet, became so involved in the community he covered that he was captured by it.
PARKING:
Paid parking is available on Clark St. with free parking available on the Ashland Avenue side of the Jewel-Osco, which is a short walk away from the store.

G. L. O. W. Pride Edition
2023-06-16 20:00 - 2023-06-18 21:30 | The Understudy, 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640, Chicago, IL, 60613, United States
Join us for our queer open mic night, hosted by Understudy cast member Sharon Pasia and KJ Whitehead. Doors open at 7:30PM, the event begins at 8PM. Click Here to reserve a spot to perform.

The Stage Actor's Handbook with Michael Kostroff
2023-06-14 19:30 - 21:30 | The Understudy, 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640, Chicago, IL, 60613, United States
Author Michael Kostroff, best known for his five seasons as Maury Levy on HBO’s legendary hit series The Wire, is joining us on June 14th to talk about his new book, The Stage Actor’s Handbook.
The book is an invaluable guide to the traditions and best practices of the professional stage actor, from first rehearsal to final curtain.
Professional stage actors are expected to have ready knowledge of a multitude of unwritten yet well-established protocols. Traditionally, this knowledge was passed along from one generation of stage actors to the next via word of mouth, or were learned by having one’s missteps corrected—until now.
In The Stage Actor’s Handbook, these protocols have finally been assembled into one volume, allowing theatre artists to know in advance what is expected of them. A definitive guide for professionals and aspiring professionals alike, this book details best practices on everything from rehearsal demeanor to backstage etiquette. It also shares the theatre’s unique vernacular and revered superstitions, as well as field-tested guidelines on touring, interactions with the public, and more.
The Stage Actor’s Handbook features bits of wisdom contributed by legendary stage actors, including Bebe Neuwirth, John Lithgow, Chita Rivera, Alfred Molina, Billy Porter, Betty Buckley, Harvey Fierstein, Sam Waterston, Jason Alexander, Cynthia Nixon, and Sir Patrick Stewart.

Andersonville Midsommarfest
2023-06-09 17:00 - 2023-06-11 22:00 | IL
We’re so excited to celebrate our first Midsommarfest after opening in March! The Understudy is right outside the northern gates of the fest on the corner of Clark and Gregory, so stop by to beat the heat and reenergize before diving back in to all the food, drink, entertainment, shopping, and general revelry the festival has to offer. Hallå Sommar!

A Taste of RED with A Red Orchid Theatre
2023-06-06 19:30 - 21:30 | IL
A Red Orchid Theatre invites you to take a peek behind the curtain and see how their team goes about exploring a play. What gets their ensemble excited about a script? How do actors, directors, playwrights, and designers all approach the same text differently? What defines a quintessential A Red Orchid production?
To recreate the warm ambience of these casual, cozy conversations, AROT ventured outside of Wells Street and partnered with some new friends. Join us for a drink and let the words wash over you!

"Give My Regards to Nowhere" Reading and Signing with Richard Engling
2023-05-31 19:30 - 21:30 | The Understudy, 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640, Chicago, IL, 60613, United States
EVENT DETAILS:
Doors open right at 7:00p for a 7:30p start to the reading. Please have your ticket ready to show The Understudy staff. A limited cafe drink menu will be available to all who attend.
The evening will begin with an introduction and reading followed by a Q&A session with Richard. The evening will end with a book signing with copies of the novel available for purchase along with merch from The Understudy Coffee and Books.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Richard Engling founded Polarity Ensemble Theatre in Chicago in 2004 and served as its artistic director for twelve long and confusing years, giving him ample expertise to write GIVE MY REGARDS TO NOWHERE. Richard’s dystopian detective thriller, BODY MORTGAGE, was published by Penguin Books USA and Headline UK and has been rereleased in a revised version by Polarity Ensemble Books. His novel VISIONS OF ANNA (Polarity Ensemble Books) and play ANNA IN THE AFTERLIFE appeared in 2014 as part of the ambitious AFTERLIFE TRILOGY. His plays have been produced in the US and England, and he continues to work as an actor, playwright, and novelist.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Chicago director Dwayne Finnegan has a long shot at the big time and only two obstacles: himself and everyone he knows.
Dwayne’s got an idea of how to direct Shakespeare’s least-favorite play that could set him on the road to Broadway. We’re talking Bob Fosse choreography, Jimi Hendrix guitars, and the hottest cast in the city of Chicago. But when the show’s producer cuts out with the cash, Dwayne decides to produce the show himself, putting his marriage and his meager finances at risk. What could go wrong?
“Richard Engling knows Chicago’s famously chaotic and glorious storefront theater scene like the back of his hand. It’s the perfect setting for absurd comic hi-jinx.” – Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, author of Rise Up! and Bigger, Brighter, Louder
PARKING:
Paid parking is available on Clark St. with free parking available on the Ashland Avenue side of the Jewel-Osco, which is a short walk away from the store.

Goody Vault Popup
2023-05-27 10:00 - 18:00 | The Understudy, 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640, Chicago, IL, 60613, United States
👖 POP UP ALERT 🧦
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We’re excited to host @thegoodyvault in our lounge this Saturday, May 27th! Join us to browse new (old) threads reworked by Emanuel alongside our usual books and brews. We’re huge fans of Emanuel’s eye for detail and his extraordinary craftsmanship, so come get some new summer pieces!
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See you there ✨

Independent Bookstore Day
2023-04-29 | The Understudy, 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640, Chicago, IL, 60613, United States
Join us at The Understudy on Saturday, April 29th for the 10th Anniversary of Independent Bookstore Day! This is an excellent opportunity to support us and Chicago’s independent bookselling community!📚☕️
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The annual Indie Bookstore crawl is a one day national party celebrating indie bookstores.
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Here’s how it works this year: Readers use the map at ChiLoveBooks.com to plan their itineraries. On Saturday, April 29th readers pick up their #ChiLoveBooks passport from the participating store of their choice. Only a small initial purchase is required to get the passport and your first stamp, and then you will get a stamp at each additional participating store you visit that day!
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The payoff comes for visits at the following levels:
📖 Visit TEN stores in one day and get 10% off at all participating bookstores for an ENTIRE YEAR.
📕Visit FIFTEEN stores in one day and get 15% off at all bookstores listed below for an ENTIRE YEAR.
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Readers are encouraged to post snapshots of their purchases and themselves at their favorite stores on #ChiLoveBooks. See you there✨

Bramble Theatre Presents: ROOTED by Ben Locke
2023-03-26 19:00 - 21:00 | The Understudy, 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640, Chicago, IL, 60613, United States
The Understudy Coffee and Books is proud to host its first collaborative event with their neighbors Bramble Theatre Company! This event takes place during The Understudy’s Grand Opening weekend.
Please note this event is pay what you can. Doors open at 7:00 pm. The reading will begin at 7:30 pm and runs approximately 90 minutes. Our cafe will be open for refreshments.
Rooted tells the story of 3 witches who resurrect a famous witch from the past to help them get an unwanted man out of their sacred home. It’s a show about sisterhood, what we hold on to, and what’s worth our sacrifices and magic.
Ben F. Locke – Playwright
Karissa Murrell Myers – Director
Ky Anderson – Kassie
Aja Singletary – Bailey
Haley Bolithon – Ryan
Stephanie Shum – Merna
Gabby Diaz – Isobel
Carolyn Hu Bradbury – Stage Directions

Ribbon Cutting
2023-03-25 | IL
