Our mission: The Plagiarists steal from literature, visual art, history, and the culture at large to create new theatre that finds the familiar in the strange, the unique in the commonplace and ultimately enlarges the world.
YEARS 14-15 - ONWARD
2022-2023 Season
Image created by Sir Green Pea Studios
PRODUCTIONS
Image by Sir Green Pea Studios
I Build Giants
Written by Ryan Stevens, Directed by Christina Casano, Movement Direction by Maureen Yasko
April - May, 2022 at The Edge Theater
The entire world changes with the invention of giant mech suits called GOSSAMERS. The Engineer who built them must reckon with the ramifications of her invention as they grow and alter the lives of more and more people, from those who'd wish to exploit these new machines, to those who fear them. It’s a science-fiction play about big robots, bigger dreams, and how we live in our bodies in the era of machines.
“…a soft sci-fi parable…”
—-Newcity Stage, Recommended
"...an epic poetic feminist science-fiction allegory ..."
—-Chicago Reader
Photos by Joe Mazza of BraveLux
CAST
The Engineer: Song Marshall
The Technician: Madison Hill
The Astronaut / Chorus: Nicolette de Guia
The Executive / Chorus: Carina Lastimosa
The Volunteer / Chorus: Julia Stemper
The Monitor / Chorus: Clara Byczkowski
The Ace / Chorus: Lexy Hope Weixel
UNDERSTUDIES
U/S The Engineer: Reagan Kay James
U/S The Technician: Sara BenBella
U/S The Astronaut / Chorus: Stephanie Fongheiser
U/S The Executive / Chorus: Sarah Hensley
U/S The Volunteer / Chorus: Deana Velandra
U/S The Monitor / Chorus: Alexandra Alontaga
U/S The Ace / Chorus: Corvyn Appleby
CREATIVES
Playwright: Ryan Stevens
Director: Christina Casano
Movement & Intimacy Director: Maureen Yasko
Stage Manager: Mack Finklea
Costume Designer: Emma Cullimore
Props Designer/Scenic Consultant: Nina Castillo-D'Angier
Lighting Designer: Connor Sale
Sound Designer: Hannah Foerschler
Scenic Charge Artist: Reagan Kay James
Casting Director: Brittani Yawn
Valhalla
Adapted by Bryan Haney and Kate Nawrocki from the album by Cirkuit Mob
January/February 2023 at The Edge Theater Off Broadway
A new musical adapted from the concept album Valhalla: The Progeny of Loki by Cirkut Mob, Valhalla tells the original tale of two brothers and a trickster-god determined to claim their realm for himself. Inspired by Norse mythology, 70's-era Rock and Roll, and cinema orchestration, Valhalla will take you on a rollicking adventure over the high seas, across the realms, and to the underworld and back.
This production is made possible in part through the generous support of Strange Tree Group.
Photos by Faith Kelsey
CAST
LOKI: Elijah Cox
JORIK: Grant Brown
HEIMDALL/BAND - KEYBOARD: Michael Mejia
JARL/ENSEMBLE: Tess Galbiati
HEL/ENSEMBLE: Alexandra Alontaga
FENRIR/ENSEMBLE: Corvyn Appleby
JÖRMUNGANDR/ ENSEMBLE: Katy Campbell
BAND - KEYBOARD/OTHER: Zachary Sigelko
BAND - BASS: Stephen McClure
BAND - GUITAR, US HEIMDALL: Nate Hall
BAND - LEAD GUITAR: Elizabeth Bagby
UNDERSTUDIES
LOKI US: Kate Nawrocki
JORIK US: Andrew Cliatt
JARL/ENSEMBLE US: Reagan James
HEL/ENSEMBLE US: Julia CiceroFENRIR/ENSEMBLE US: Philip J. Macaluso
JÖRMUNGANDR/ ENSEMBLE US: Cayla Jones
CREATIVES
MUSIC/LYRICS: Cirkut Mob
CO-ADAPTOR: Bryan Haney
DIRECTOR: Kate Nawrocki
MUSIC DIRECTOR: Elizabeth Bagby
STAGE MANAGER: Mack Finklea
PRODUCTION DESIGNER: Nina D’Angier-Castillo
COSTUME DESIGNER: Allyson Leisure
LIGHTING DESIGNER: Ellie Humphrys
FIGHT CHOREOGRAPHER: Lana Whittington
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT: Meghan Norine Xavier McGrath
AUDIO ENGINEER: Isaac Mandel
PRODUCTION MANAGER: Julia Stemper
Casting Director: Brittani Yawn
Image created by Sir Green Pea Studios
Arabia, Arabia!
Written by Alexander Utz, Directed by Jaq Seifert
June/July, 2023 at Jarvis Square Theater
It's 1761. Five researchers have been selected by the Danish government to travel to the Arabian Peninsula, to "Happy Arabia." But the journey isn't as happy as its destination. The doctor is incompetent, the botanist is elitist, and the linguist has enough arsenic to kill them all. And that's hardly the worst of it. When the Narrator appears and tries to save the expedition from certain failure, the researchers begin to realize that their story may not belong to them anymore.
Photos by Joe Mazza of BraveLux
CAST:
Narrator: Maliha Sayed
Niebhur: Alice Wu
Forsskal: Peter Ferneding
Von Haven: Stephen McClure
Kramer: Eric Greenbaum
Baurenfeind: Julia Cicero
UNDERSTUDIES:
Iman Kamel (Narrator)
Anna Dorian (Niebhur)
Andre Colin (Forsskal)
Layke Fowler (Von Haven)
Austin Rambo (Kramer)
Katie Bevil (Baurenfeind)
CREATIVES:
Playwright: Alexander Utz
Director: Jonathan Shaboo
Assistant Director: Kylie Anderson
Stage Manager: Mack Finklea
Preview Stage Manager: Oswald Avile
Set/Production Designer: Andy Cahoon
Costume Designer: Carina Lastimosa
Lighting Designer: Charles Blunt
Sound Designer: Hannah Foerschler
Production Manager: Clara Byczkowski
Casting Director: Brittani Yawn
EVENTS
Art in the Time of Plagiarism : Home Edition 3 - Home for the Holidays
Admission is always FREE and open to the public for this event, and this year it’s more free and open than ever before because we’re taking it online once again!
Art In The Time of Plagiarism is a celebration of art and inspiration, a party, an art show, and a fundraiser. Just in time for the holidays, browse online for traditional paintings, handmade jewelry, ceramics, pop-culture-inspired prints, figurines, and other creations from over 20 artists and artisans across the Chicagoland area, all offered at various price points, and all without having to trudge through a foot of snow or crowds of holiday shoppers! Additionally, there will be virtual classes, readings, and other exciting events!
Be a part of our journey ONWARD!
You can make a difference in our season and the future of new theatrical work in Chicago by donating to The Plagiarists. The gift you submit by hitting the button below will be immortalized on our contribution page for the whole world to see and admire, it is tax deductible, and most importantly, you'll be helping us move ONWARD!
The Plagiarists' 2022-23 Season is generously supported by:
