The world premiere performance of Rage Play by Nandita Shenoy opens the NIU School of Theatre and Dance’s 2023-2024 production season Friday, September 29 at 7:30 p.m. in the Sally Stevens Players Theatre in NIU’s Stevens Building.
Performances continue Saturday, September 30 at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, October 1 at 2 p.m., then resume Thursday, October 5 and Friday, October 6 at 7:30 p.m. with a final matinee performance, Saturday, October 7 at 2 p.m.
Synopsis, courtesy New Play Exchange: “Three women stand over the man they’ve killed, struggling to understand how it happened and why he keeps coming back to life. Again and again and again. In response to the #MeToo movement, this black comedy examines the costs women pay in fighting against sexism and patriarchy as well as the ways they may be complicit in an oppressive system. Through their purgatory, the women aim for liberation…and maybe even a little sweet revenge.”
The cast of Rage Play has been working closely with the playwright in the build up to opening night. Shenoy spent a week on campus sitting in on rehearsals with director Hannah Hammel and the actors. More than 40 NIU students and faculty attended a question and answer session facilitated by Kay Martinovich, professor, head of performance and head of BFA acting in the NIU School of Theatre and Dance.
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Rage Play is a black comedy designed to convey the relevance and seriousness of sexual abuse and violence in a way that sparks conversation. The production carries a content warning, “This show contains flashing lights and depictions and discussions of sensitive topics including but not limited to violence, death, sexual assault, sexual harassment, and gender discrimination.”
Counselors from NIU’s Department of Counseling and Higher Education (CAHE) will be on hand at every performance. The School of Theatre and Dance worked with Suzanne Degges-White, chair of CAHE to establish the support at each show and with assistant professor of counseling Peitau Zhu, who did a facilitation training with the cast and director in preparation.
Tickets are available at go.niu.edu/arts-tickets, and are $9 for general admission and NIU students are free of charge with a pre-reserved ticket.
Rage Play
Written by Nandita Shenoy
Directed by Hannah Hammel
NIU School of Theatre and Dance
Sally Stevens Players Theatre
7:30 p.m., September 29 and 30, October 5 and 6
2 p.m., October 1 and 7
Assistant Director: Chance Lira
Associate Costume Coordinators: Katie Robitschek and Jeremy W. Floyd
Lighting Assistant: Dustin Holloway
Intimacy Coordinator: Bethany Mangum-Oles
Fight Choreographer: J. Cody Hunt
Stage Manager: Linnea Strack
Cast
Sonya Dunn (Ay) is a Chicago born third-year B.F.A in acting candidate here at Northern Illinois University. She has been in two NIU productions so far, “Much Ado About Nothing” (Antonia/The Watch) directed by Kay Martinovich and “The Children’s Hour” (Lily Mortar) directed by Andrea Dymond. Sonya wants to shout out her amazing cast and director Hannah Hammel. She gives grace with honor to all the people that were part of the process. She is incredibly thankful and welcomes you for being here.
Jack Gordon (Man) is a senior B.F.A. in acting student who is honored to have “Rage Play” be his last official play at NIU. In 2022, Gordon made his professional debut in Canterbury Summer Theatre’s (CST) production of “Streakin’ Thru The 70’s” directed by Ray Scott Crawford. He returned to CST in 2023, where he played Gidger in “The Violet Hour” directed by David Graham, and the Captain in “Dames at Sea” directed by Ray Scott Crawford. Gordon also worked at The Paul Bunyan Playhouse in Bemidji, Minnesota, where he played Mr. Greenway (and others) in “Elf the Musical” directed by Jim Williams. In his junior year, you may have seen Jack as King Basilio in “Life is a Dream” directed by Stanton Davis, and the dungeon master, Chuck, in “She Kills Monsters” directed by Kendra Holton. Gordon also flew around as a golden pheasant in NIU’s production of “Conference of the Birds” directed by Cecilie D. Keenan way back in his sophomore year. Prior to acting, he competed as a gymnast for eleven years, where he was ranked regionally and nationally. Gordon wants to thank his family, friends, Hannah Hammel, Nandita Shenoy, and the whole Rage Play cast and crew for making this a great “last hoorah” and constantly pushing me to be the best “me” I can be.
Chloe Konieczki (CeCe) is a junior B.F.A. in acting candidate. Her most recent performance was “The Children’s Hour” (Rosalie Wells) at NIU and “Oliver” at Starlight Theater. Some other notable works include “The Little Mermaid” and “How I Became a Pirate” (Jennifer Jacobs), among over 25 plays and musicals. Along with a few short films and a TV series “The Deadersons.” She’s glad that she gets to start a conversation with everyone. She thanks her mom for always supporting her in her many adventures!
Lauren Roth (Bea) is a B.F.A. in acting major in her third year, originally from Kansas City, Missouri and is grateful to be in her third show at Northern Illinois University. Roth is extremely proud of her cast and their ability to bring this show to life and to share this story. She also thanks her director, Hannah Hammel, for her hard work and dedication to the play. Roth also thanks the playwright, Nandita Shenoy, for working with the cast to help further build this story we get to share. Roth thanks everyone who came to see the show, and hopes you enjoy this rage-filled ride!
Production Team Bios
Hannah Hammel (Director) is a Chicago-based actor, director, producer, and educator originally from New York City. Most recently, she directed “God of Carnage” at Northern Illinois University. As an actor, she has performed with
Oil Lamp Theater, Perennial Theatre, Walnut Street Theatre, Shakespeare in the Woods, Newnan Shakespeare in the Park, Aftershock Entertainment, Truth Be Told Productions, Ritz Theatre Company, ReVamp Collective, Ignoble Shakespeare, Family Stages, Philadelphia Women’s Theatre Festival, Northern Illinois University, and many others. She is the co-founder and marketing and PR director of Spicy Witch Productions,
a feminist theater company based in New York City. She is also the co-founder of Unnecessary Nowledge LLC, a film production company whose first full-length feature is now in post-production. She earned her M.F.A. in acting from Northern Illinois University and a B.A. in English from Haverford College. hannahacts.com
J. Cody Hunt (Fight Choreographer) is pursuing an M.F.A. in acting in the NIU School of Theatre and Dance and is honored to advise such a talented group of artists in creating safe and evocative stories through physical conflict. Hunt was trained in the skills of unarmed stage combat, knife, rapier and dagger, and broadsword by SAFD fight master J. Allen Suddeth, and SAFD fight directors Ted Sharron and Jake Guinn. Hunt was trained in stunt falls by Mark Dirkse whose stunt affiliations include Sony Pictures Studios and Marvel Studios. Hunt most recently served as a fight director for NIU’s production of “Big Love.” He was fight choreographer and fight captain for Sight and Sound Theatre’s production of “Jesus and Samson.” He has also choreographed shows like “Fool for Love,” “Grease, Th’ Burning,” and “Anastasia.” He taught the advanced stage combat course at Sight and Sound Conservatory in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and holds unarmed and knife workshops for theatre camps and schools around the country. Hunt has been a professional actor for ten years and most recently played the role of Man in NIU’s production of “In A Word” by Lauren Yee. He would like to thank his incredible wife and family for their endless love, support, long days, late nights, and many moves in the pursuit of creating art. You make it all possible.
Chance Lira (Assistant Director) is a third year in the B.A. program. This is his first time being an assistant director, but you might have seen previous works within the 24 play fest and hosting the 72 hour film fest. Lira will be releasing a short film called “We live together,” which premieres October 13. He would like to thank his family and friends for always pushing him to his fullest potential. “Thank you and enjoy the show.”
Bethany Mangum-Oles (Intimacy Choreographer) is thrilled to have collaborated on this production. She is an actor, director, educator, and mama of two born and raised in southern California. Bethany holds a B.F.A. in acting from California State University, Fullerton, and an M.F.A. in acting from Northern Illinois University (NIU). While at NIU, her studies took her internationally to the Moscow Art Theater School in Moscow, Russia and the Adana International Theatre Festival in Adana, Turkey. She is a Certified Intimacy Captain and currently in pursuit of her Trauma-Informed Yoga and Yoga Nidra Certifications. She has made her artistic home at NIU as full-time performance area faculty and head of B.F.A. acting recruitment. Mangum-Oles also has the unique privilege of serving as rotating voice and movement faculty at the renowned Gately-Poole Acting Conservatory and was recently named artistic director of Kane Repertory Theatre. www.bethanymangum.com.
Katie Robitschek (Costume Coordinator) is a senior B.A. in theatre studies student. She wishes to pursue costume design, stitching, and props. This is her fifth show at NIU. She has participated in “Twelfth Night,” “Melancholy Play,” “Big Love,” the original play “Factory Games” and now “Rage Play.” She is very excited to share her final designs at NIU with you.
Linnea Strack (Stage Manager) is a first-year theatre design and technology B.F.A. student from Grayslake, Illinois. This is her debut show with NIU. Previously, Linnea stage managed at Grayslake Central High School for “Chicago,” “Little Women,” “Clue,” and “The Addams Family.” This past summer, she was the assistant stage manager at the College of Lake County for their summer musical “Schoolhouse Rock Live!”
Director’s Note
“This is one of anger’s most important roles: it is a mode of connection, a way for women to find each other and realize that their struggles and their frustrations are shared, that they are not alone, not crazy. If they are quiet, they will remain isolated. But if they howl in rage, someone else who shares their fury might hear them, might start howling along. This is of course, partly why those who oppress women work to stifle their rage.” Rebecca Traister, Good and Mad: The Revolutionary Power of Women’s Anger.
“Reacting in anger or annoyance will not advance one’s ability to persuade.” – Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Production Staff
SCENERY
Scenic Coordinator – Sahin Sahingolu
Scene Shop Supervisor – Adam Rager
Scene Shop Graduate Employees – J. Cody Hunt , Paul Lang, Alicia Margerum, Tyler Page
Scene Shop Undergraduate Employees – Mike Kozel, Jade Doherty
Scene Shop 295 Students – Ryn Aston, Taneya Ball, Megumi Goto, Derek May
Run Crew – Richmond Fredrickson, Kateri Pfeiffer
COSTUMES
Costume Design Advisor – Jeremy W. Floyd
Costume Director – Lori Hartenhoff
Costume Shop Supervisor – Elizabeth Galba
Costume Shop Graduate Employees – Elias Dennis, Ski Sciaraffa
Costume Shop Employees – Alyssa Altadonna, Alix Burkhardt, Bea Thompson Costume Shop 395 Students – Alix Burkhardt, Emily Christanson
Costume Shop 210 Students – Serenity Deida, Maggie Godfrey, Brianne Jankowski, Becca Katz, Delaney Langan, Briana Leni, MaKena Mueller, Natalie Olson, Denver Starzynski, Skylar Thompson
Costume Shop 235 Students – Sophie Ainsley, Emily Christianson, Danisha Gilmore, Stella Guervich, Yukina Nguyen
Wardrobe Crew – Celia Carpenter, Darya Ellickson
LIGHTING
Lighting Design Advisor – Brandon Wardell
Resident Head Electrician – Chris Kurszewski
Lighting Shop Graduate Assistants – J. Cody Hunt, Paul Lang, Tyler Page
Lighting Shop Employees – Logan Bryant, Conall Doherty, Tim Peters
Student Electricians – THEA 210, 295, 241 and 395 Students
PROPERTIES
Properties Director – Dave Doherty
Properties Graduate Assistants – Eric Brockmeier, Alicia Margerum, Ski Sciaraffa
Property Shop Employee – Sarah Blickem
Properties Shop 295/395 Employees – Kane Crotty, Danisha Gilmore, Carrie Szostak
PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT
Technical Direction Advisor – Tracy Nunnally
Production Assistant – Jordan Clifton
House Management Supervisor – Cornelia Hayes
Special Thanks
Dustin Holloway, Kay Martinovich, Alexander Gelman, Dave Doherty, Jeremy Floyd, Rich Grund, Roxanna Conner, Peitao Zhu, Suzanne Degges-White.
NIU Department of Counseling and Higher Education (CAHE).
Ethan Patterson for use of the song “Flute Blanket.”
Next up in the NIU School of Theatre and Dance Bertolt Brecht’s “The Caucasian Chalk Circle,” adapted and directed by Alexander Gelman, October 13-15 and 19-21.
