NIU’s School of Theatre and Dance will present The Caucasian Chalk Circle at The Black Box Theater in the Stevens Building October 13, 14, 19 and 20 at 7:30 p.m. with matinee performances, October 15 and 21 at 2 p.m.
This adaptation by Alexander Gelman, who also is directing this production, embraces Brecht’s “epic theater” and will leave viewers with a new definition of what it means to be an audience member. Music is woven throughout the story and the ensemble of actors playing various roles keeps the audience engaged and looking for familiar faces.
Tickets are free for NIU students. Non-NIU student tickets are $12, Senior and NIU staff tickets are $18, and tickets for the general public tickets are $20. To purchase tickets, visit go.niu.edu/arts-tickets and log in or create an account to view ticket options and to purchase tickets. NIU’s box office is completely digital, so tickets must be purchased online prior to the event starting.
Gelman’s adaptation gives audiences the opportunity to see a completely new version of one of Brecht’s most well-known plays. Gelman translated it from a Russian version of the script. The imagery, songs, and rhymes added to Gelman’s version of the play draw the audience even further into the fable. This show will leave audiences questioning the societal structures and power dynamics that they encounter in their everyday lives. Between moments of song and dance, the audience will critically examine the characters in front of them and may even connect them to people in their real lives. Brecht wanted to engage people’s minds, not their emotions, but somehow this production touches both the hearts and the minds of the audience.
The play is episodic, so audiences will be immersed in different worlds with each scene change. There is no set, so the actors create the world themselves with Gelman’s beautiful imagery, along with the help of lighting by Brandon Wardell.
Gabby Gozdecki plays The Singer named Arkady Chkheidze. “This production creates a joyful atmosphere while simultaneously discussing extremely serious topics that plague society daily,” she said. “That is the beauty of Brecht. I am excited for the audience to see a Brecht piece at NIU. I enjoy studying Brecht, so I am excited to take part in one of his plays.”
The cast is composed of actors from many different populations within the school. Some are studying for their Master of Fine Arts in acting, some for their Bachelor of Fine Arts in acting, others for the Bachelor of Arts or a minor in theatre studies. This ensemble piece brings all the actors together and highlights each of their unique talents and skills.
Parking in the NIU Visitor lot or parking garage is free and located directly in front of the Stevens Building. Accessible parking is available, and the building is also wheelchair accessible. Accessible seating arrangement is available, email dspizzirri@niu.edu for more info.
The Black Box Theater is equipped with high-capacity HEPA filters that create proper air circulation for the safety of audience members. Theaters are cleaned regularly between performances and masks are always welcome.
The Caucasian Chalk Circle
Written by Bertolt Brecht
Adapted and Directed by Alexander Gelman
Director: Alexander Gelman
Lighting Designer: Brandon Wardell
Properties Designer: Dave Doherty
Intimacy Choreographer: Bethany Mangum-Oles
Fight Choreographer: J. Cody Hunt
Stage Manager: Lizzie Ciszczon
This production is approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes and will have one intermission.
Cast
Ryn Aston
Architect, Worker, Mama Georgia, Servant 37, Natella’s Servant #1, First Neighbor Woman Gertrude, Other Curtain Holder, Old Peasant Woman, Ursula, Child Transporter, Peasant John
Logan Blake
Private Numbskull, Governor, Old Judge
Gina Cioffi
Natella, David, Soso, Bagheera (solider), Sandy The Limping Urchin, Moira, The Rich Peasant
Skye Corey
Mother-in-law, Kazbeki, Paula the Pigeon, Old Married Man, Marching Soldier 4, Disgruntled Servant, Barbie Wrangler 1, Dancing Soldier 8, Wannabe Executioner
Gabby Gozdecki
Singer
Gino Hernandez
Innkeeper, Monk, Merchant, Second Lawyer, Doctor
Sania Henry
Rich Lady, Doctor, First Lawyer
J. Cody Hunt
Azdak
Becca Katz
Old Man, Cheerleader, Old Hysterical Woman, Wedding Guest, Old Married Woman, Little Girl, Big Cheese
Jalen (KJ) Kent
Shalva
Paul James Lang
Child
Derrick Longstreet
Maro, Man, Nanny, Peasant A47, Peasant B42, Numbskull 2.0, Lavrenty, Doctor, Rich Farmer, Rich Peasant 2
Emma Mansfield
Corporal, Petitioner #14, Captain Walkie Talkie, ‘ssssslice,’ Corporal, Melanie Brooks (wedding guest), Child, Grand Duke
Cristian Onate
Adjutant, Delegate, Baby Swiss, Agitated Merchant
Jonathan Perkins
Simon
Julia Prieto-Escabado
Cook, Aniko, Older Child, Peasant Woman, Pigeon, Soldier
Kristen Serbia
Grusha
Jaylin Turner
Rich Lady, Nephew, Messenger
Cast Bios
Ryn Aston this is their first production with NIU. They are a second-year B.F.A. acting major and are so excited to be in the production of The Caucasian Chalk Circle. This cast and director have been wonderful to work with. Much love to the cast, Lizzie, Alex, and most importantly, Yarn.
Logan Blake is a third-year B.F.A. acting major. He has a tremendous passion for the craft and is thrilled to be in this show. At NIU, he has previously been seen in the 24-Hour Theatre Festivals, the 72-Hour Film Festival, the improv shows, Sonnets for an Old Century, Need to Know, Much Ado About Nothing and Life is a Dream. Blake would like to thank his family, friends and faculty for their endless support and wisdom over the years. He hopes that everyone enjoys the show as much as he enjoyed working on it.
Gina Cioffi (She / Her) is a second-year M.F.A. acting candidate from San Diego, California, with a bachelor’s degree in theatre from University of California, San Diego. Last semester marked her debut on the NIU stage with Big Love in the role of Thyona/Movement Captain, in addition to directing the 2022 and 2023 New Student Jamborees alongside classmate Julia Prieto. Cioffi ’s current passion lies in the construction and collaboration of new plays that center femme bodies, minds and ambition. Some favorite credits include Teresa in Italian American Reconciliation (Scripps Ranch Theatre), Elle Woods in Legally Blonde: The Musical and Des in SERE (UCSD), in addition to staged readings of 53% Of and Fill Fill Fill Fill Fill Fill Fill. Thank you, Dad for flying out to witness the work, Rick for running alongside me and my artistry, and Colette for every collaboration and unconditional support.
Skye Corey is a second-year B.F.A. actor and is thrilled to be joining the cast of The Caucasian Chalk Circle. Previous NIU productions include Amelia Goes to the Ball and The Medium. Recent outside credits: But I’m a Cheerleader (Ghostlight Ensemble), Alone Together (Goodman Theatre), and A Christmas Carol (Metropolis PAC). Love to Mom, Callie, Mokie and Ko.
Gabby Gozdecki is a third-year B.F.A. acting student at Northern Illinois University. Gozdecki just returned from a summer at the National Theater Institute. There, she participated in the Theatermakers Summer Intensive where she originated six new roles in six new plays. Her recent roles at NIU include Bella and Eleanor in Big Love by Charles Mee, and Joan in Melancholy Play by Sarah Ruhl, both directed by Bethany Mangum-Oles. When Gozdecki is not on stage, she enjoys researching and writing about theatre. Last year, she won the Gotthold Ephraim Lessing Essay prize for the best essay of the year written by an NIU School of Theatre and Dance student. Gozdecki is thrilled to take on a role in this Brecht piece because of her passion for theatre for social change.
Sania Henry is a second-year B.F.A. acting candidate and this is her first theatre production of any sort. She would like to recognize her cohort, the Acting Studio of Chicago and the opportunity to be a Black woman on stage for the spirit she carries into this project.
Gino Hernandez is currently a senior majoring in political science and minoring in English and theatre studies. He has been a part of the 24-Hour Play, 72-Four Film Fest, Far Readings, Ukrainian stage readings, and last semester’s Third Onion Factory Games. He has done a few small projects as an extra and is even working on an upcoming film project. He looks forward to everyone seeing all the hard work he and his cast members have done for The Caucasian Chalk Circle and overall enjoying this wonderful tale they have to tell. This is his first official production for the school and he’s very grateful to be a part of making it come to life.
J. Cody Hunt is proud to be pursuing his M.F.A. in acting. NIU credits include Man in In A Word. Regional credits include Unto These Hillsat The Mountainside Theatre, North Carolina; Sleeping Beauty at Birmingham Children’s Theatre, Alabama; and Blue Gate Musicals, Indiana. Hunt was a fight choreographer, stunt performer and fight captain for shows like SAMSON at Sight and Sound Theatres, and played the role of Jesus in JESUS in Pennsylvania and Missouri. His Chicago credits include Chicago Kids Company; Lost In Time, Magnified Gift Theatre; Low Hanging Fruit, Fearless Fiction Productions. Film/TV: Union, 2012; Romans XIII, 2014; JESUS LIVE televised broadcasts, 2018 and 2021. In 2021, Hunt’s short film, The Moment, received the Phenomenal Achievement Award at the Dreamz Catcher International Film Festival where it was also nominated for Best Mobile Film. He received his B.A. in drama with a concentration in performance at Jacksonville State University in Alabama. Hunt would like to thank his wife and family for their endless support.
Becca Katz is a second-year theatre studies minor. Her most recent credit includes Chorus/Musician in Life is a Dream here at NIU. When she isn’t on stage, Katz can be found almost always crocheting something new. It’s an addiction, and her family and friends are very close to staging an intervention. In all seriousness though, she would love to dedicate this performance to her mother. It was her combination of fearlessness and humor surrounding Katz growing up that made her into the confident actor that she is today. And for that, Katz would like to thank her dearly. Love you, Mom. Now buckle up and enjoy the show! It’s bound to be a wild one.
Jalen Kent, also known as KJ , is a B.A. sophomore at NIU. His mother and father inspired him and his three sisters to be a part of the performing arts industry at an early age. He first set his foot on stage at the age of six, which is where his passion for acting started to grow. He started performing more in front of even bigger crowds when he joined the South Shore Drill Team of Chicago at the age of 15. He has performed at the 2020 NBA All-Star game, in front of Lori Lightfoot and at the 2021 Inauguration. He was previously a part of the run crew in She Kills Monsters as the light operator and played Grocery Boy in The Children’s Hour. He is proud to say that this is his second production, and he hopes everyone enjoys the show.
Paul James Lang (He / Him) is a second-year M.F.A. acting candidate, originally from the Northeast and is now happy to call the Midwest home. He received his B.F.A. in musical theatre from The Boston Conservatory. Some of Lang’s favorite credits include Giuliano in Big Love at NIU, as well as Horst in Bent, Sir Andrew in Twelfth Night, the Envoy in The Balcony and several different characters in TheaterWorks USA’s touring production of Junie B. Jones. He is thrilled to be returning to the NIU stage with this wonderful, thoughtful and, as the playwright would put it, epic piece of theatre. Thank you so much to Alex and our brilliant team behind the scenes, as well as my family for all their love and support.
Derrick Longstreet is a B.A. junior at Northern Illinois University. Longstreet has worked on In A Word (A.D), Unfaded Wonder (principle) and The Neighborhood Kids (director) coming soon. Longstreet is pleased to have joined this group and debut his first appearance in NIU productions. Follow him on Instagram for more information about his projects and himself @dl_is_d_star_ Enjoy!
Emma Mansfield is a fourth-year B.F.A. in acting candidate performing their final role at NIU. Their most recent project was spending the summer with Kingsmen Shakespeare Festival in Thousand Oaks, California. Mansfield also previously worked with The Arcola Theatre’s Youth Theatre and Mental Health Company in London, England. NIU credits include Segismundo in Life is a Dream, Tilly in She Kills Monsters and Mary in The Language Archive.
Cristian Alonzo Onate is a fourth-year B.F.A. acting candidate. He made his NIU debut as Nightingale in The Conference of The Birds, directed by Cecilie Keenan and as Miles in She Kills Monsters, directed by Kendra Holton. Most recently, he was a part of the chorus in Pedro Calderón de la Barca’s Life is a Dream, directed by Stanton Davis. He’s excited to share the creativity and passion brought to life with this story and hopes that others can feel the same experience he felt throughout this process.
Jonathan Perkins is a fourth-year B.F.A. acting candidate and is thrilled to share his final production at NIU. This past summer, he was with the Texas Shakespeare Festival and worked on The Comedy of Errors as Angelo, Pride and Prejudice as Colonel Fitzwilliam, ensemble in Lear and the world premiere of Todrick the Not-So-Terrible as King Abniss the Apathetic. Along with performing in these shows, he was also the swing for Something Rotten! He is also a voice actor, recently wrapping up the final season of Congo Square Theatre’s audio series The Clinic as Shad. Other credits include Ross in Macbeth and Slender in The Merry Wives of Windsor (Hoosier Shakespeare Festival); Joe Cardin in The Children’s Hour, Don Pedro in Much Ado About Nothing and Eagle in The Conference of the Birds (NIU). Shout out to his acting cohort at NIU — you guys mean the absolute world to him. Much love to everyone in the production and those who have constantly supported his artistry — this show is dedicated to you all. Keep being your authentic selves forever and always. Julia Isabella Prieto is a second-year M.F.A. acting candidate from Fresno, California. She obtained a B.A. in theatre arts from California State University-Fresno. She was recently seen in NIU’s Big Love directed by Bethany Mangum-Oles last spring. Some memorable credits include The Thanksgiving Play, Lydia and The Rocky Horror Show. She sends so much love to her family and friends back home.
Kristen Serbia is a senior B.F.A. acting candidate and is so very glad to be back in the Black Box at Northern Illinois University’s School of Theatre and Dance. Recent NIU credits include Clarin in Life is a Dream, by Pedro Calderón de la Barca and directed by Stanton Davis; Frances in Melancholy Play, by Sarah Ruhl and directed by Bethany Mangum-Oles; Hoopoe in The Conference of the Birds, by Sholeh Wolpe and directed by Cecile Keenan; and Brenda in a staged reading of La Ruta by Isaac Gomez. She recently made her Chicago theatrical debut at Oak Park Festival Theatre’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, directed by Peter G. Andersen, where she was featured on stage as an apprentice actor and the understudy for Lysander. She is honored to be creating art on the stage and growing as an actor during such dark and uncertain times. She would like to dedicate this performance to her family; for without their love, support and encouragement of her wildest dreams and ambitions, she wouldn’t be here today. And to director Alexander Gelman for entrusting her with Grusha’s story. Jeremiah 29:11
Jaylin Turner is a second-year B.F.A. acting student. She is looking forward to being in more productions as time goes by. She would like to thank her family and friends for supporting her and thank her castmates for being a wonderful ensemble.
Yarn this is Yarn’s first production ever. He does have stage fright, and he has had much practice in preparing for his role. He hopes you enjoy his first ever performance as Cow.
Production Team Bios
Lizzie Ciszczon (Stage Manager) is a third-year B.F.A. technical theatre and design major. Her previous work at NIU was being the assistant stage manager on the Spring Dance Concert. She is very excited to be working on The Caucasian Chalk Circle as the stage manager. Much love to the cast and director for all the work they do.
Alexander Gelman (Director and Adaptor) is a Russian-born and American-trained director. He has worked as a director and translator of plays from Russian to English. He has worked at such theatres as American Repertory Theatre, Arena Stage Company, Canterbury Opera (Christchurch, New Zealand), Chicago Lyric Opera, Utah Opera, Ashlawn-Highland Music Festival, Chattanooga Opera Association, Hartford Stage Company, The Acting Company, New York Shakespeare Festival, Minneapolis Children’s Theatre Company, Emmy Gifford Theatre and The Juilliard School of Drama. Previously, Professor Gelman served as director of the School of Theatre and Dance (2001-2021).
Brandon Wardell (Lighting Designer) is a lighting and scenic designer based in Chicago. He is an ensemble member at Steep Theatre Company, an artistic associate with Griffin Theatre Company, and associate professor of lighting design at Northern Illinois University. Recent designs include Light Falls, Birdland, Lela & Co. and Earthquakes in London (Steep Theatre Co.); Two Trains Running (Court Theatre); Blues in the Night (Porchlight Music Theatre); The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (Steppenwolf Theatre Co.); A Number (Writers Theatre); Cardboard Piano and The Vibrator Play (TimeLine Theatre Co.); Men On Boats (American Theatre Co.); Solaris, Titanic, London Wall, and Men Should Weep (Griffin); The Game of Love and Chance (American Players Theatre); and Million Dollar Quartet (Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival). Wardell earned his M.F.A. from Northwestern University. brandonwardelldesign.com
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 – Delaney Langan, Taylor Maurchie Banks,
DaQuise McDonald, David Mortenson
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 235 Students – Sophie Ainsley, Emily Christianson, Danisha Gilmore, Stella Gurevich, Yukina Nguyen
Costume Shop 210 Students – Serenity Deida, Maggie Godfrey, Brianne Jankowski, Becca Katz, Delaney Langan, Briana Leni, MaKena Mueller, Natalie Olson, Denver Starzynski, Skylar Thompson
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, 241, 295 and 395 students
Properties
Properties Director – Dave Doherty
Properties Graduate Assistants – Eric Brockmeier,
Alicia Margerum, Ski Sciaraffa
Property Shop Employees – Sarah Blickem, Kane Crotty, Danisha Gilmore, Carrie Szostak
Production Management
Technical Direction Advisor – Tracy Nunnally
Production Assistant – Jordan Clifton
House Management Supervisor – Cornelia Hayes
