Welcome
The month of April is a remarkable time here at Chicago Shakespeare Theater when all three of our spaces are alive with extraordinary work. We couldn’t be happier to welcome you to this immersive and joyful theatrical experience in partnership with New Zealand’s innovative Indian Ink Theatre. An important part of our mission is to bring theater from beyond Chicago and the United States that provides engaging and vivid theatrical perspectives from all over the world. This experience invites you as guests (in the truest sense of the word) to enjoy food, music, laughter, and community through the celebration of the feast of Onam. We hope you have come hungry as you may well have a chance to taste Mrs. Krishnan’s delicious dish. Rest assured that no two performances of this show will ever be the same. So, if you have fun…why not come back?
Enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of Mrs. Krishnan’s Party—
EDWARD HALL
Artistic Director
Carl and Marilynn Thoma Chair
KIMBERLY MOTES
Executive Director
presents
Written by JUSTIN LEWIS and JACOB RAJAN
Directed by JUSTIN LEWIS
Lead Production Sponsors
Welcome to the party! Make yourself at home. Photos, videos, and dancing are highly encouraged. We hope you will stick around after the performance to sample Mrs. Krishnan’s famous dahl. The dish is gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, and vegan. If we can help accommodate you during your visit, please speak with our House Manager.
Cast & Creative Team
Maydi Díaz
AEA Stage Manager
Kalyani Nagarajan
Kalyani is a graduate of the New Zealand Drama School. This is Kalyani’s second role with Indian Ink following 2017’s The Pickle King. She has worked extensively on stage with Auckland Theatre Company and Auckland Live. Kalyani is a player for New Zealand’s top improv companies, Snort, Heartthrobs and Live Reel. Her screen credits include Raised by Refugees, Brokenwood Mysteries, Give Me Babies and more. Nagarajan is currently in development writing her first television show, The Drama Department, and a feature film, Revenge.
Justin Te Honihana Pokaihau Rogers
Justin also features in both Mrs Krishnan’s Party and Dirty Work. Other stage credits include The Cherry Orchard and Beauty and the Beast. His screen work includes Meet Me at the Baptistery as well as voicing for Disney in Te Reo for The Lion King, Frozen, Coco and Encanto. Justin is a graduate of Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School.
Justin Lewis
Justin is a founding partner of Indian Ink. He has co-written and directed all of Indian Ink’s plays. He is a graduate of the John Bolton Theatre School and the University of Auckland. Justin was one of the founders of Auckland’s Q Theatre and received a Kaupapa Oranga Award for his services to theatre.
Jacob Rajan
Jacob is a founding partner of Indian Ink and co-wrote all of Indian Ink’s plays as well as performing in many of them. He is a graduate of Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama school, Otago University (B.Sc Microbiology) and Wellington Teacher’s College. Jacob is an Arts Foundation Laureate and a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to theatre.
John Verryt
John has designed all of Indian Ink’s productions bar one. With over 40 years’ experience, John is a leading New Zealand stage designer with an extensive portfolio of work including productions with NZ Opera, Auckland Theatre Company, Silo Theatre, The Large Group and many others.
Fiona Nichols
This is Fiona’s second production for Indian Ink after her work on The Pickle King. She works mainly in film and television with credits including Star Wars: Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith, and Spartacus.
Jane Hakaraia
This is Jane’s third production with Indian Ink following on from Welcome to the Murder House and The Elephant Thief. Jane holds a degree in product design but her passion is lighting for theatre.
Lia Kelly
This is Lia’s first production with Indian Ink. They won an award for ‘Most Innovative Work’ at the 2018 Wellington Fringe Festival and is part of Playshop – a late night improv group. Lia recently completed his Masters in Fine Arts in Creative Practice at Victoria University.
D. Andrew Potvin
Andrew has been a resident production manager with Indian Ink productions since 2017. Andrew is also the Director of Andrew Potvin Designs Ltd, specializing in producing and tour/production management for live events. With two decades of experience in the entertainment industry his portfolio of work spans across the globe including contracts in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Singapore and the USA. Andrew holds an MFA (AUT 14′) in International Tourism Management and a BFA (CALARTS 09′) in Theatre Design and Management.
Murray Edmond
Dramaturg for all of Indian Ink’s productions. Poet, critic and fiction writer, Murray has published many books. Worked for Living Theatre Troupe, Theatre Action, Half Moon Theatre (London), Town and Country Players (founder), and Mercury Theatre. Associate Professor (now retired) of Drama Programmes at Auckland University (1990-2014).
Special Thanks To Our Partners
Hershey Suri and Pop-Up Productions, South Asia Institute, The Chicago Kasam, Chicago Actors Hub, Silk Road Cultural Center
Mrs. Krishnan’s Party Full Staff Listing
Edward Hall Artistic Director, Carl and Marilynn Thoma Chair
Kimberly Motes Executive Director
ARTISTIC & EXECUTIVE
Ericka Ratcliff Literary Manager
John Hance Interim General Manager
Daniel J. Hess Artistic Administrator
Bob Mason Artistic Associate/Casting Director
Brian Haas Company Manager
Alexis Taylor Casting Associate
Rose Kalef Executive Assistant
Shemar Wheeler Arts Leadership Fellow
EDUCATION
Nora Carroll Director of Lifelong Learning & Education, Ray and Judy McCaskey Education Chair
Rick Lostutter Associate Director of Education
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
Brad Boron Chief Marketing Officer
MARKETING
Mackenzie Schleyer Associate Director of Marketing
Katie Bell Digital Marketing Manager
Olivia George Graphic Designer
Shelly Binkley Tessitura Administrator
Ali Khan Marketing Associate
COMMUNICATIONS
Hannah Kennedy Director of Communications
Emma Perrin Associate Director of Communications
Tiffany Mullins Digital Content Specialist
BOX OFFICE
Scott Letscher Ticketing Services Manager
Sonja Pardee Box Office Supervisor
Maggie Curry Box Office Associate
Al Duffy Box Office Associate
Jaz Fowlkes Box Office Associate
Micah Hazel Box Office Associate
Aurthur King Box Office Associate
Eric Perrine Box Office Associate
Ash Pierce Box Office Associate
Kir Westrick Box Office Associate
DEVELOPMENT & SPECIAL EVENTS
Stacy Shafer Peterson Chief Development Officer
Makeda Cohran Events Director
Melissa Rosenberg Associate Director of Development, Individual Giving
Elizabeth Aranza Associate Director of Development, Institutional Giving
Finley Jones Manager of Annual Fund and Planned Giving
FINANCE & OPERATIONS
FINANCE
Dan Thomas Director of Finance
Alejandra Sujo Accounting Associate
TECHNOLOGY
Jeanne DeVore Technology Manager
OPERATIONS
Mark Kozy Director of Operations
Daniel Lopez Facilities Manager
Mike Atkins Custodian
Dwayne Brewer Custodian
Anthony Davis Custodian
Cano Hernandez Custodian
Ferris Robertson Custodian
GUEST SERVICES
Devin Faught Front of House Manager
Phoebe Silva Assistant Front of House Manager
Julia Ravenscroft Show Supervisor
Erika Wilson Show Supervisor
Will Adams Guest Services Associate
Sam Castillo Guest Services Associate
Amanda Farmer Guest Services Associate
Leah Johnson Guest Services Associate
Paulette Maher Guest Services Associate
Nat Martinez-White Guest Services Associate
Maggie Perisho Guest Services Associate
Jessica Plummer Guest Services Associate
Jack Porter Guest Services Associate
Nora Rumery Guest Services Associate
Samantha Waitkus Guest Services Associate
Nyja White Guest Services Associate
Philip Macaluso Lead Concessioner
Patty Roache Lead Concessioner
Jack Saunders Lead Concessioner
Sam Adams Concessioner
Dani Brown Concessioner
Suzie Glover Concessioner
Zoe Maxwell Concessioner
Tanner McCormick Concessioner
Robbie Matthew Concessioner
Leaf McCastle Concessioner
Lily Mulcahy Concessioner
Reese Sheldahl Concessioner
Emily Stipetic Concessioner
Prenae Thomas Concessioner
Mo Werder Concessioner
HUMAN RESOURCES
Laurel Legler Director of Human Resources
Mohad Zahid HR Generalist
PRODUCTION
Mac Vaughey Production Manager
Alexa Berkowitz Assistant Production Manager
SCENERY
Tyler Metoxen Technical Director
Jesse Gaffney Assistant Technical Director
Tobi Osibodu Stage Crew Head
Bradley Buri Stage Crew Carpenter Head
Jack Birdwell Stage Rigging Crew Head
Nicolas Cabrera House Technician
Chris Culver House Technician
Amber Hahn House Technician
Bobby Noe House Technician
Hannah Culwell Carpenter
Anthony Doyle Carpenter
Hannah Sneller Carpenter
Nicholas Thomas Carpenter
Jamie Auer Carpenter
COSTUMES
Ryan Magnuson Costume Department Manager
Cathy Tantillo Costume Design Assistant
Jenn Giangola Wardrobe Supervisor
Tyler Phillips Draper/Workroom Supervisor
Teagan Anderson First Hand
Yas Maple Stitcher
Laura Holt Dresser
LIGHTING AND VIDEO
Alec Thorne Lighting and Video Department Manager
Arianna Brown Assistant Lighting and Video Department Manager
Joan E. Claussen Lighting Crew Head
Florence Borowski Electrician
Emily Brown Electrician
Lea Davis Electrician
Chris Feurig Electrician
Andres Fiz Electrician
Elliot Hubiak Electrician
Garvin van Dernoot Electrician
SOUND
Nicholas Pope Sound Department Manager
Tyler Malone Sound Crew Head
Sarah Ortiz Sound Technician
HAIR AND MAKE-UP
Ashley Adams Hair and Make-up Department Manager
Sarah Collins Hair and Make-up Attendant
Anna Gorsuch Hair and Make-up Attendant Cover
PROPERTIES
Anna Katharine Mantz Properties Department Manager
Meghan Savagian Assistant Properties Department Manager
Dan Nurczyk Properties Crew Head
Claire Rockwell Properties Artisan
Katie Novak Properties Artisan
Edward Hall Artistic Director, Carl and Marilynn Thoma Chair
Kimberly Motes Executive Director
ARTISTIC & EXECUTIVE
Ericka Ratcliff Literary Manager
John Hance Interim General Manager
Daniel J. Hess Artistic Administrator
Bob Mason Artistic Associate/Casting Director
Brian Haas Company Manager
Alexis Taylor Casting Associate
Rose Kalef Executive Assistant
Shemar Wheeler Arts Leadership Fellow
EDUCATION
Nora Carroll Director of Lifelong Learning & Education, Ray and Judy McCaskey Education Chair
Rick Lostutter Associate Director of Education
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
Brad Boron Chief Marketing Officer
MARKETING
Mackenzie Schleyer Associate Director of Marketing
Katie Bell Digital Marketing Manager
Olivia George Graphic Designer
Shelly Binkley Tessitura Administrator
Ali Khan Marketing Associate
COMMUNICATIONS
Hannah Kennedy Director of Communications
Emma Perrin Associate Director of Communications
Tiffany Mullins Digital Content Specialist
BOX OFFICE
Scott Letscher Ticketing Services Manager
Sonja Pardee Box Office Supervisor
Maggie Curry Box Office Associate
Al Duffy Box Office Associate
Jaz Fowlkes Box Office Associate
Micah Hazel Box Office Associate
Aurthur King Box Office Associate
Eric Perrine Box Office Associate
Ash Pierce Box Office Associate
Kir Westrick Box Office Associate
DEVELOPMENT & SPECIAL EVENTS
Stacy Shafer Peterson Chief Development Officer
Makeda Cohran Events Director
Melissa Rosenberg Associate Director of Development, Individual Giving
Elizabeth Aranza Associate Director of Development, Institutional Giving
Finley Jones Manager of Annual Fund and Planned Giving
FINANCE & OPERATIONS
FINANCE
Dan Thomas Director of Finance
Alejandra Sujo Accounting Associate
TECHNOLOGY
Jeanne DeVore Technology Manager
OPERATIONS
Mark Kozy Director of Operations
Daniel Lopez Facilities Manager
Mike Atkins Custodian
Dwayne Brewer Custodian
Anthony Davis Custodian
Cano Hernandez Custodian
Ferris Robertson Custodian
GUEST SERVICES
Devin Faught Front of House Manager
Phoebe Silva Assistant Front of House Manager
Julia Ravenscroft Show Supervisor
Erika Wilson Show Supervisor
Will Adams Guest Services Associate
Sam Castillo Guest Services Associate
Amanda Farmer Guest Services Associate
Leah Johnson Guest Services Associate
Paulette Maher Guest Services Associate
Nat Martinez-White Guest Services Associate
Maggie Perisho Guest Services Associate
Jessica Plummer Guest Services Associate
Jack Porter Guest Services Associate
Nora Rumery Guest Services Associate
Samantha Waitkus Guest Services Associate
Nyja White Guest Services Associate
Philip Macaluso Lead Concessioner
Patty Roache Lead Concessioner
Jack Saunders Lead Concessioner
Sam Adams Concessioner
Dani Brown Concessioner
Suzie Glover Concessioner
Zoe Maxwell Concessioner
Tanner McCormick Concessioner
Robbie Matthew Concessioner
Leaf McCastle Concessioner
Lily Mulcahy Concessioner
Reese Sheldahl Concessioner
Emily Stipetic Concessioner
Prenae Thomas Concessioner
Mo Werder Concessioner
HUMAN RESOURCES
Laurel Legler Director of Human Resources
Mohad Zahid HR Generalist
PRODUCTION
Mac Vaughey Production Manager
Alexa Berkowitz Assistant Production Manager
SCENERY
Tyler Metoxen Technical Director
Jesse Gaffney Assistant Technical Director
Tobi Osibodu Stage Crew Head
Bradley Buri Stage Crew Carpenter Head
Jack Birdwell Stage Rigging Crew Head
Nicolas Cabrera House Technician
Chris Culver House Technician
Amber Hahn House Technician
Bobby Noe House Technician
Hannah Culwell Carpenter
Anthony Doyle Carpenter
Hannah Sneller Carpenter
Nicholas Thomas Carpenter
Jamie Auer Carpenter
COSTUMES
Ryan Magnuson Costume Department Manager
Cathy Tantillo Costume Design Assistant
Jenn Giangola Wardrobe Supervisor
Tyler Phillips Draper/Workroom Supervisor
Teagan Anderson First Hand
Yas Maple Stitcher
Laura Holt Dresser
LIGHTING AND VIDEO
Alec Thorne Lighting and Video Department Manager
Arianna Brown Assistant Lighting and Video Department Manager
Joan E. Claussen Lighting Crew Head
Florence Borowski Electrician
Emily Brown Electrician
Lea Davis Electrician
Chris Feurig Electrician
Andres Fiz Electrician
Elliot Hubiak Electrician
Garvin van Dernoot Electrician
SOUND
Nicholas Pope Sound Department Manager
Tyler Malone Sound Crew Head
Sarah Ortiz Sound Technician
HAIR AND MAKE-UP
Ashley Adams Hair and Make-up Department Manager
Sarah Collins Hair and Make-up Attendant
Anna Gorsuch Hair and Make-up Attendant Cover
PROPERTIES
Anna Katharine Mantz Properties Department Manager
Meghan Savagian Assistant Properties Department Manager
Dan Nurczyk Properties Crew Head
Claire Rockwell Properties Artisan
Katie Novak Properties Artisan
From The Creators
Everyone loves a good party: endless laughter; catching up with friends; dancing on tables; But what if you don’t know anyone and feel self-conscious about your dancing? What if you’re not feeling a box of birds? Do you stay home or fake it til you make it? How do you set yourself free? Onam is such a great celebration because it shows there is more to happiness than just a smile; that to know joy you must also feel sorrow, without death there can be no rebirth. Maybe a party can change your life: you may meet someone who gives you the courage to set yourself free or shows you the resilience required to be truly happy. Thanks for coming out tonight. — Justin Lewis, Writer & Director
For the uninitiated, Krishnan’s Dairy was the name of our very first play. A love story set in a corner shop, the power of which caught everyone by surprise—including us. That shop has kept its doors open for 20 years, touring the length and breadth of New Zealand and throughout the world, becoming as loved and cherished as a child. The story you’re taking part in tonight is somewhat of a sequel, but don’t worry, you don’t have to have seen Krishnan’s Dairy to enjoy the party. All you need is here, in the strangers that surround you and the imagination that abounds within, and the wonder of what’s going to happen next. That moment of not knowing, of being lost and confused, excited and a little scared is really what tonight is about: change. Something has to die in order for something to be renewed. It’s a tough lesson but a constant, existing at every stage of life and extremely present for us in a world that seems to be spinning ever faster. Rather than bemoan how hard it is to get to grips with all this shifting sand we want to celebrate the new castles we will build from it. Party on! — Jacob Rajan, Writer
Mrs. Krishnan’s Pepper Dahl
INGREDIENTS
1 cup red lentils
2 cups of water
1/4 tin canned tomatoes
(or a chopped tomato)
1 clove garlic
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 small white onion
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp garam masala
1 tsp cumin powder
1 tsp chilli flakes
Salt and pepper (to taste)
DIRECTIONS
Add lentils, tomatoes, and garlic to a pot of boiling water. Reduce to a simmer and cook until lentils are soft, about 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, fry the onions in vegetable oil until they are almost translucent. Add the garlic, turmeric, garam masala, and cumin and chilli flakes and fry for another minute or so. When the dahl is cooked, add in the onion mix and stir. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve the dahl alongside rice or roti. Or, if you’re like us and you can’t wait—eat it straight from the pot! Serves 5.
Facts about Onam
Onam is an annual Hindu festival, which usually falls between August–September or in Malayalam month of Chingam. Celebrated for 10 days, it is a vibrant and culturally rich festival observed predominantly in the southern Indian state of Kerala. It holds great significance for the people of Kerala and is a time of joy, unity, and tradition.
The festival commemorates the return of the legendary King Mahabali, who is believed to visit his subjects during this time. King Mahabali is described in early Hindu texts as a benevolent and generous king, and his people were honest, healthy, and happy under his rule.
eople decorate their homes with colorful flower carpets called Pookalam, wear traditional attire, and indulge in a feast known as the Onam Sadya. This grand meal includes a variety of delicious vegetarian dishes served on banana leaves.
About Indian Ink Theatre Company
We’re guided by the “Serious Laugh,” a love of mask and of story. We aim to make theatre that is beautiful, funny, sad, and true—to leave an indelible imprint on your heart. Indian Ink began 29 years ago as a partnership between Jacob Rajan and Justin Lewis. Since then we’ve gathered a team of long-term collaborators, made 12 shows together, and had the great pleasure of performing around the world. Our home is Aotearoa, New Zealand, and it’s a long way from our islands to India. We’ve always had to use our imaginations and be led by our curiosity with the theatre we make so please forgive the artistic licenses we take. We hope to capture something of the essence of what makes us all human while celebrating the flavors that make each of us unique.
Co-Founder JACOB RAJAN
Co-Founder JUSTIN LEWIS
General Manager JUDE FROUDE
Producer PENE LISTER
Administration & Development Manager NAOMI CAMPION
Next Gen Programme Leader TE HUAMANUKA LUITEN-APIRANA
Indian Ink is represented by David Lieberman Artists’ Representatives. [email protected]
SEASON SPONSORS
Chicago Shakespeare Theater is proud to recognize the sustaining partnership of our Season Sponsors,
whose visionary support ensures that we live out our artistic mission for audiences today and for generations to come.
SEASON SPONSORS
Chicago Shakespeare Theater is proud to recognize the sustaining partnership of our Season Sponsors, whose visionary support ensures that we live out our artistic mission for audiences today and for generations to come.
The Jentes Family
Ray and Judy McCaskey
Burton X. and Sheli Z. Rosenberg
The Segal Family
Carl and Marilynn Thoma
Chicago Shakespeare productions are made possible in part by the Illinois Arts Council Agency and a CityArts Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.
Chicago Shakespeare is a constituent of the Theatre Communications Group, Inc., the national service organization of non-profit theaters; Shakespeare Theatre Association; Arts Alliance Illinois; the League of Chicago Theatres; and Ingenuity, Inc.
Actors’ Equity Association (AEA), founded in 1913, represents more than 45,000 actors and stage managers in the United States. Equity seeks to advance, promote and foster the art of live theatre as an essential component of our society. Equity negotiates wages and working conditions, providing a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans. AEA is a member of the AFL-CIO, and is affiliated with FIA, an international organization of performing arts unions. The Equity emblem is our mark of excellence. www.actorsequity.org
About Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST)
Our Mission
To create vivid, entertaining theatrical experiences that invigorate and engage people of all ages and identities by illuminating the complexity, ambiguity, and wonder of our world.
Shared humanity and unforgettable stories—now THIS is Chicago Shakespeare.
Our Vision
We deliver excellent, powerful, life-changing theater that challenges our preconceptions of everything. We are an open and inspiring destination to meet, talk, and share experience through community and live performance that is available to everyone. We build a better future with those who watch, work, create, and participate.
Our Story
CST is a leading international theater company and the nation’s largest year-round theater dedicated to the works of Shakespeare. Under the visionary leadership of Artistic Director Edward Hall and Executive Director Kimberly Motes, the Regional Tony Award recipient engages nearly a quarter of a million people through more than 12 productions each year. Shakespeare is at the heart of the artistic work, illuminating the playwright as a modern writer for our modern world. CST also produces compelling, contemporary stories from fresh artistic voices of today. CST brings the world to Chicago and sends Chicago out into the world as a presenter of international theater and producer of North American and world premieres. Serving more students and teachers than any theater in the city, CST annually welcomes more than 20,000 students to performances and programs like Chicago Shakespeare SLAM, alongside professional development opportunities for teachers. CST activates its campus with three venues: 700-seat The Yard; the 500-seat Jentes Family Courtyard Theater; and the 200-seat Carl and Marilynn Thoma Upstairs Studio. Free programs like Shakes in the City bring performances to parks and community spaces across Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods. For nearly four decades, CST has distinguished itself with a spirit of innovation, dynamism, and ambitious vision.
More About Us
Our Team
The thrilling work on our stages would not be possible without our visionary leadership, talented team of theater professionals, and dedicated Board of Directors.
Our Supporters
Chicago Shakespeare gratefully recognizes the gifts and partnerships provided by our hundreds of individual donors and institutions in our digital donor listing.
Our Education Programs
We are committed to providing access to high quality, culturally responsive arts education, and fostering a love for lifelong learning through innovative programming.