Runcible Theatre's SCENES FROM AN EXECUTION Runs thru 3/29 at the Royal George

Runcible Theatre Company will present Scenes from an Execution by Howard Barker at The Royal George Theatre through March 29, 2015.

1571. Venice has won an overwhelming victory in The Battle of Lepanto. The artist and sensualist Galactia is chosen to commemorate the triumph; instead, she fills a staggering one thousand square feet of canvas with violence, suffering and death. Another battle ensues between artist and state, with Galactia unremitting in the face of extreme adversity.

First performed as a radio play in 1984, and more recently at The National Theatre in London, Runcible Theatre Company are incredibly excited to bring this play to Chicago's Royal George Theatre. Note: Scenes from an Execution is presented by special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH, INC.

Plays Fri & Sat 8pm and Sun 3pm through Mar 29. Tickets available at The Royal George Theatre box office or ticketmaster.

ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT:

Howard Barker's first play was performed at the Royal Court Theatre Upstairs in 1970. Subsequently, his works were played by the Royal Court, Royal Shakespeare Company, The Open Space Theatre, Sheffield Crucible and the Almeida. He is currently Artistic Director of The Wrestling School, a company established to disseminate his works and develop his theory of production. His work is played extensively in Europe, in translation, in The United States, and in Australia . He writes regularly for radio, both in England and Europe . He is the author of plays for marionettes and has written three librettos for opera. Howard Barker is the author of two works of theory, and five volumes of poetry. He is also a painter. His work is held in national collections in England (V&A, London) and Europe.

ABOUT THE CAST:

Sarah Chalcroft (GALACTIA, a Painter) relocated from London to Chicago in 2012 and made her Chicago debut as Andrea in The Dream of the Burning Boy at Profiles Theatre. She played the Narrator and Ms Crumb in A Christmas Carol at The Goodman Theatre. UK credits includePurgatorio at The Chocolate Factory NW8; 4:48 Psychosis for Stonecrabs Theatre; Hedda Gablerwith Theatre Babel; Transmissions for Birmingham Rep; Love's Labour's Lost, Twelfth Night, Hamlet and As You Like It for British Touring Shakespeare. Queen Margaret, The Merchant of Venice, Lear, Henry V, Much Ado About Nothing, Measure for Measure, The Tempest and As You Like It for Bard in the Botanics, Glasgow; Vivienne Grout's Adventure In Another Metropolis for sparkleDark Theatre; and The Vagina Monologues. Sarah appeared as Barbara Tully in Taggart, for STV. She holds a First Class honors degree in Contemporary Theatre Practice from De Montfort University, Leicester. Sarah is a proud member of Actor's Equity, and Joint Artistic Director of Runcible Theatre Company.

Cory Hardin (CARPETA, a Painter) A native of Kentucky and a graduate of Western Kentucky University with a BFA in Acting, Cory Hardin is making his Chicago theatrical debut with Runcible Theatre Company. Hardin has spent the last year in Louisville, Kentucky and recently relocated to the windy city only a few months ago. He has served previously as a teaching artist for the National Theatre for Children touring around the United States. Some of his other notable credits include Proof (Louisville Rep) The 13th of Paris (Theatre 502) The Irish Curse andFive Women Wearing the Same Dress (The Public Theatre of Kentucky). Hardin is beyond excited and grateful for the opportunity to perform with Runcible Theatre Company and is looking forward to bringing this challenging script to life.

Stephen Fedo (URGENTINO, the Doge of Venice) recently appeared in Piven Theatre's production of Chekhov's Ivanov. He also has acted with Red Theater, Dream Theatre, ShawChicago, Reverie Theatre, and Rogue Theater, among others. In addition to his acting credits, he adapted and directed Disappearing Acts: Gogol's "Nose" and "Overcoat" for Piven, where he also has adapted short stories, including works by Chekhov, Singer, and Malamud, for several productions directed by Joyce Piven. He adapted Jane Austen's Emma for Reverie and translated and directed Hofmannsthal's Elektra for Rogue. He also practices law.

Geoffrey Zimmerman (SUFFICI, an Admiral) is very excited to be working on this challenging piece and with Runcible for the first time. His most recent credits include Oberon inMidsummer Night's Dream with Strange Loop Theatre and Ariel in The Pillowman with Innate Theatre. In the past he has worked on projects with Muse of Fire in Evanston and with Accidental Shakespeare here in Chicago. As always he would like to send much love out to his family and friends for their unending support.

Alex Fisher (RIVERA, a Critic) is very proud to make her Runcible debut. She just finishedDesperate Dolls at Strawdog Theatre and has worked with Polarity Ensemble, Idle Muse Theatre Co., Organic Theatre Co. and Profiles Theatre among others. She is a graduate of the Conservatory at The Second City, a company member with The Hamlet Project and is represented by Lily's Talent Agency. She would like to thank Andrew and Sarah for this wonderful opportunity and her family and Dillon for their love and support!

Jack McCabe (OSTENSIBLE, a Cardinal) is proud to join Runcible's talented cast and crew as we tell this exciting story. Recent appearances include MaryArrchie's Crime And Punishment andThe Homecoming; Profiles' Hellcab, Men of Tortuga and Autobahn; Strawdog's Aristocrats andRichard III; Provision's Spoon River Anthologies, Beast On The Moon and The Hiding Place; Livewire's A Permanent Image; The New Colony's That Sordid Little Story, Pancake Breakfast andSo Many Days. Over the years he has appeared on the stages of Steppenwolf, Victory Gardens, A Red Orchid, American Blues Theatre, Live Bait, European Repertory Theatre, The Gift Theatre, Jackalope, The Side Project and others. McCabe produced and directed the short film Christmas Eve at McTavish's based on Andrew Burden Swanson's stageplay. It has been screened on both coasts and the Midwest. He has also appeared on screen in the award-winning film Animals and NBC's Chicago Fire.

Owen Hickle-Edwards (PRODO, A Veteran) is thrilled to be making his Chicago debut at Runcible Theater Company. Most recently, Owen worked as an actor in North Carolina, his home state, where performances include The Aliens by Annie Baker at Paper Lantern Theater in Greensboro, The Pillowman by Martin McDonagh, and Arcadia by Tom Stoppard. He received his BA in Performance at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

Nate Dion (SKETCHBOOK/ORIGINAL MUSIC) is excited to work with Runcible again after having stage managed their inaugural production, Sweet Phoebe. He is also happy to return to the stage after working behind the scenes for the past couple years. Other Chicago credits include serving as assistant stage manager for Hellcab, In the Company of Men, and In God's Hat, all at Profiles Theatre, and The Coward for Stage Left Theatre. Nate received his Bachelor's degree in Theatre from Central Michigan University.

Georgia Gove (SUPPORTA, Daughter of Galactia) is very excited to make her Chicago theatre debut with Runcible Theatre Company. She is a recent graduate from Columbia College Chicago where she was last seen in Maggie Rogers' directing III production of Language of Angels. Georgia wants to thank her family for being so supportive and Andy and Sarah for taking a chance on her!

Trista Noel Baker (DEMENTIA, Daughter of Galactia) is a recent transplant to Chicago from Alabama where she received her degree in Theatre Performance from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Since moving to the Windy City she has had the pleasure of working with lovely companies like Transcendent Ensemble and Nothing Without A Company. Trista is especially grateful to Runcible for this opportunity to work on one of her favorite plays.

Matt Fleming (SORDO, a Painter) is excited to be working with Runcible Theatre Company for the first time. Recent Chicago credits include Jakob in The Rubenstein Kiss (Coriolis Theatre) and Paul in Lemon Cake (The Waking Theatre). Matt has worked regionally with Theatre at the Center (Munster, IN), The Public Theatre (Lewiston, ME), PlayMakers Repertory Company (Chapel Hill, NC) and New Repertory Theatre (Newton Highlands, MA). Matt Received his MFA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his BA from the University of Northern Iowa. Matt thanks his wife, Kristin, his children, Iris, Maeve and Beau, and everyone else at the Graziano-Serafini-Fleming compound for support and perspective.

Watson Swift (PASTACCIO, an Official) holds a BA in Mass Communication from Wayne State University and is a graduate of Second City Chicago Improv Conservatory, Acting and Writing programs as well as Annoyance Theatre's Advanced Improv Program. He is currently a graduate student at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Watson's acting credits include: The Love of Three Oranges (Piccolo Theatre), Stoop Time (You and Me Productions), Freedom Summer(Civil Rights Art Project), Out Loud (eta Creative Arts Foundation - Nominated Best Actor by African American Arts Alliance and Best Ensemble by Black Theatre Alliance), Leg Up(Revolution Theatre), EL Stories (Waltzing Mechanics), A Long Walk for Water (City Lit Theatre), The Piano Lesson (Drama Group), To Kill a Mockingbird (Artcraft Theatre), I See Monkeys (Second City Chicago).

Nathan Wainwright (ENSEMBLE) is very honored to be joining Runcible Theatre Company for Scenes From An Execution. A Boston native, he holds a BFA in Acting from the Boston University School of Theatre and has also studied at LAMDA, the Second City Conservatory, and Acting Studio Chicago. Past Chicago credits include King John (Linchpin Theatre Company, Chatillion/Melune), The Mary Scruggs Works By Women Festival (Performer, Second City Training Center), and It's Still Life (Public House Theatre, Writer/Performer). He feels very lucky to work alongside such talented artists and would like to thank Runcible for giving him this opportunity.

Vic Kuligoski (ENSEMBLE) Vic recently performed in the production Hellcab at Profiles Theatre. His other performances at Profiles include The Dream of the Burning Boy as well asGraceland. This past summer he performed at the 2014 Hollywood Fringe Festival in Fatpig. Other Theatre credits include Six Postcards and Language of Angels at Columbia College Chicago. Besides acting, Vic enjoys playing the guitar.

Stephen Rowland (ENSEMBLE) is proud to be working with Runcible Theatre Company in his second Chicago performance since moving to the city. Recently Stephen has been seen working with St. Sebastian Players in the production of In the Matter of J. Robert Oppenheimer. A few of Stephen's regional credits include a residency at B. St. Theatre (California) where he performed in Aliens With Extraordinary Skills and The Ugly One while kickstarting / acting in The Complete Works of Shakespeare Abridged; and a brief stint at Berkshire Theatre Festival (Massachusetts) in Candide. Stephen originally comes to us from North Carolina and is loving the rich life that Chicago has to offer.

ABOUT THE PRODUCTION TEAM:

ANDREW ROOT (DIRECTOR) is a director and actor who has bounced back and forth from both sides of the pond. Originally from Houston Texas, Andrew studied at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and lived in the UK for eight years. As an actor he has worked extensively with a variety of companies in Scotland and England; highlights include Poor Boy in association with National Theatre of Scotland, The Citizens Theatre, Vanishing Point, Lazarus, Lost Theatre and The Blue Elephant. As a director he has helped develop and produce new playwriting at venues including the Rosemary Branch Theatre and Theatre 503 London. He also completed a Directing Traineeship with StoneCrabs Theatre Company in London. Andrew directed Runcible's inaugural production of Sweet Phoebe in February 2014, and is so excited to work on this incredible play by Howard Barker.

AMBER DETTMERS (STAGE MANAGER) is excited to be working with Runcible Theatre's production of Scenes From An Execution this year. She holds a B.A. in Theatre from Loyola University Chicago and has worked in House Management with Steppenwolf Theatre. Recent stage management credits include A Bright Room Called Day with Spartan Theatre and Skylight with Appetite Theatre.

MICAH FIGUEROA (MOVEMENT DIRECTOR) is a Chicago based performer, director, choreographer and the Managing Director for Odradek Theater. Originally from Dallas, Texas Micah has a deep passion for physical theater. In Texas, Micah's work has been seen at Dallas Theater Center, Theater Three, Kitchen Dog Theater, Shakespeare Dallas, The Dallas Opera, Lone Star Circus as well as a bird trainer for Natural Encounter's free flight bird show at the Dallas Zoo. In Chicago, he has had the great fortune to work with Lookingglass Theatre, Redmoon Theater, Walkabout Theater, First Floor Theater, Kalapriya Dance Company, and is proud company member of Odradek Theatre. Micah holds a BFA in Theater Studies: Directing and Playwriting from Southern Methodist University and studied at the British American Drama Academy in London.

RAQUEL ADORNO (COSTUME DESIGN) is an Artistic Associate at Profiles Theatre having designed costumes for their productions of Annapurna, Cock, Gidion's Knot, the seasonal favorite Hellcab, Wrecks, In God's hat, In the Company of Men, and The Dream of the Burning Boy. Raquel's credits include CARRIE: the musical (Bailiwick Chicago), RAW (Deluge Theatre Collective), Gambit (Artemisia, A Chicago Theatre), Darlin' (World Premiere), HoliDAZE, and The BenchMark (Step Up Productions); Cowboy Mouth (Black Ribbon Theater), Trafford Tanzi and Patria Libre (Prologue Theatre Company), Songs from and Unmade Bed and The All-American Genderf*ck Cabaret (Pride Films and Plays) and Starting Here, Starting Now (Theo Ubique Cabaret Theater). Raquel is a costume designer and milliner living in Chicago.

GREGORY GRAHAM (COSTUME ASSISTANT) is a Chicago based aspiring costumer who has been assisting Raquel Adorno this past year. He assisted Raquel on Carrie: The Musical, with Bailiwick Chicago, and Some Men with Pride Films and Plays. He is also a novice drag queen, amateur designer and enjoys making his own clothing and accessories. He is very excited to be working with Runcible Theatre Company on this project!

CLAIRE CHRZAN (LIGHTING DESIGNER) is a graduate of Columbia College Chicago where she received her bachelor's degree in lighting design. She has had the pleasure to work in many theatres in Chicago including assistant lighting design for The Goodman, Lookingglass Theatre, the Court Theatre, Past design credits include Harry and The Thief with Pavement Group, In The Heart of America with Theatre Seven of Chicago, Boy Gets Girl at The Raven, Uncle Bob with Mary Arrchie, and Best Beloved, The Just So Stories with Forks and Hope at Strawdog Theatre Company. Claire is an artistic associate with Interrobang Theatre Project where her designs have been seen in many past productions including Terminus and The Pitchfork Disney. She is looking forward to upcoming productions with Emerald City Theatre, Eclipse Theatre Company, Profiles, and Interrobang!

To post a comment, you must register and login.