Oracle Productions + Red Theater Chicago

R+J: THE VINEYARD

a verbal and signed performance
based on Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet
adapted by Janette Bauer and Aaron Sawyer
directed by Aaron Sawyer

Admission is FREE in Public Access Theatre™
Reservations are strongly recommended.
All performances are wheelchair accessible. Select performances will feature Captioning – stay tuned for specific dates!

Extended through December 12, 2015!
Friday, Saturday and Monday nights at 8PM
Sunday nights at 7PM
Special Thursday performance on November 19 at 8PM

This production is supported by grants from The Chicago Community Trust, The Saints and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE).

        

 

Photography by Joe Mazza, Brave Lux.

ABOUT THE PLAY

This 90 minute adaptation of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet will feature many artists who are deaf, hard of hearing, and ASL interpreters. Led by Artistic Director Aaron Sawyer and co-adapter Janette Bauer, Red Theater worked with Sign Master Crom Saunders and a team of artists who helped translate Shakespeare’s poetry into American Sign Language.

“Let hands do what lips do.”  
R+J: THE VINEYARD is set in 1890’s Martha’s Vineyard where a unique deaf/hearing bilingual agricultural community gave way to a budding tourism industry. Intense cultural lines are drawn between hearing and non-hearing as land, lifestyle, and livelihoods ignite the Capulet and Montague families. This beautiful and physical production is both spoken and performed in American Sign Language and intended for all audiences.

ABOUT RED THEATER CHICAGO

‘Red’ is rebellious theater. It is the mission of Red Theater Chicago to ask dangerous questions theatrically. We began in 2008 with the banishment from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for performing controversial works opposing the university’s administration and the “football-first” mentality. Our defiant energy has sprouted four collectives: Chicago, Lincoln, Omaha, and Purchase, NY.

“Red Theater has been a powerful force in shaping the public’s understanding of Deaf culture, establishing ASL, and providing opportunities for Deaf and hard of hearing performers.”
– John McGinty, recently seen in the role of Billy in TRIBES at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago, and Everyman Theatre in Baltimore.

For more information visit redtheater.org

ABOUT THE COLLABORATION

When Oracle co-produces with other companies, they are dedicated to giving artists the opportunity to produce their work in Public Access Theatre. Groups of artists submit project proposals for consideration. Once accepted, Oracle provides space, production and fundraising mentorship, and technical resources at no cost to the visiting artists – on one condition: the piece is offered to the community for free through Public Access Theatre™. More free art by more artists for more people.

CAST

Brendan Connelly – Romeo
McKenna Liesman – Juliet
Brenda Scott Wlazlo – Benvolio
Chris Schroeder – Mercutio
C. Richard Costes – Abram and Musician
Lona Livingston – Lady Capulet
Beth Harris – Nurse
Simone Zebot – Sister Laurence, Gregory and Musician
Jeff Kurysz – Paris and Tybalt
Pavi Proczko – Sampson, Servant, Musician, Page, Friar John, and Apothecary
Mike Stark – Prince

Understudies:
Christopher Paul Mueller – Paris and Tybalt
Olivia Soliz – Abram and Musician

PRODUCTION TEAM

Red Theater Producer – Janette Bauer
Red Theater Artistic Director – Aaron Sawyer
Stage Manager – Mary Kate Ashe
Sign Coach – Rob Russo
Red Theater Managing Director – Janette Bauer
Red Theater Director of Corporate Sponsorship – Brenda Wlazlo
Dramaturg – Claire Alston
Scenic Designer – John Wilson
Costume Designer – Amber Kessler Freer
Lighting Designer – John Kelly
Props Designer – Scott Dickens
Sign Master – Crom Saunders
Projections Designer – Will Cotter
Combat Consultant – Dwight Sora
Rehearsal Interpreters – Daniella Doll, Isaac Riddle, and Rob Russo

ASL Interpreting Team:
Buddy Rivara
Chris Lopez
Christopher Schroeder
Brendan Connelly
Juan Bernal
Mike Stark
Cizzy Boga

Oracle Team
Tony Santiago* – Oracle Producer
David Boren* – Director of Programming
Max Truax* is Artistic Director
Jeremy Clark* is Managing Director
Brad Jayhan-Little* is Executive Director
Ben Fuchsen* is Executive Producer

* denotes Oracle Company Member