ABOUT

Can we legislate a better future? When prohibitionists banned liquor, they hoped to save America from domestic violence and political corruption, but both persisted. In the 90's a widely popular crime bill fueled our current problem of mass incarceration. With the prevalence of social media and the sudden appearance of artificial intelligence in our lives, what laws might we create to save ourselves? What will their unintended consequences be?

In Babel, Jacqueline Goldfinger has imagined a world of perfection. Perfect children are born to perfect parents; the spectres of racism and homophobia are finally resigned to the dustbin; and the violence that plagues our schools has disappeared. Who could complain about a world made safer through science? What small freedoms might we give up to achieve that future?

C.S. Lewis, whose influence runs through this script, once said "The safest road to hell is the gradual one - the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts." As we debate new technologies and are forced to revisit settled questions of women's autonomy, one must wonder, what will be the gentle turnings and soft slopes that pave our path forward?

- Rinska & Dusty

Bios

Monique Marshaun (Renee)

Monique (she/her) is an actor, filmmaker and trauma-informed yoga instructor from the southside of Chicago. She is so excited to be working with Redtwist again! Recent credits include The Great Khan (Redtwist), The Mountaintop (Invictus) MetaMorphic (Shattered Globe) and The Breath Project (Rivendell Theatre). She is co-founder of The Front Porch Oracles, a performance collective that creates original work centered on the themes of healing, spirituality and collective liberation. She is a graduate of Northwestern University and THE ACADEMY at Black Box Acting, where she teaches Meisner. She is represented by Lily’s Talent Agency. Connect with her on IG @thebarefootgriot.

Shannon Leigh Webber (Dani)

Shannon Leigh Webber (she/her) is thrilled to be making her Red Twist debut! She last appeared in American Side Efectos with The New Coordinates at The Den. Other Chicago theatre credits include Harrow House with Rough House Theatre, Blue Island in the Red Sea with Collaboraction and Perfect Arrangement at Pride Films and Plays. Outside of Chicago, Shannon has appeared at Theatre Squared in Fayetteville, AR and The Warehouse Theatre in Greenville, SC. Shannon recently wrapped a horror film called Viral (Campana Productions) that is currently making its way through the festival circuit.

Soleil Pérez (Ann)

Soleil Pérez is a proud, first-generation, Mexican-American artist from the Bay Area, California. She is represented by Grossman & Jack Talent and holds a BFA in Acting from the University of Michigan. She is ecstatic about her Redtwist debut and first Chicago credit. For the occasional life update, follow @rubysoleilperez on IG.

rubysoleilperez.com

Michael Sherwin (Jamie/Stork)

Michael is a Redtwist Ensemble Member appearing in his 14th production. He most recently performed down the street at City Lit in The Mark of Kane (Jim Steranko). He’s thrilled to be reunited with Rinska Carrasco-Prestinary having had such fun in Isaac’s Eye (Robert Hooke) last spring. Other Redtwist Favorites include Opus (Elliot), The Man from Nebraska (Rev. Todd), and Happy (Alfred). He’s also played Patrick Swayze (Crazy for Swayze), Van Gogh (Inventing Van Gogh), and Iggy Pop (David Bowie Christmas Special 1975). He lives in Andersonville with his partner and pup (Ruth Boxer Ginsburg).

Caroline Kidwell (Dani U/S)

Caroline is ecstatic to be working with Redtwist for the first time. Previous credits include Krugozor with Theatre Evolve, Vinegar Tom with Red Theater, Language of Angels with Three Crows, and Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson with Three Brothers. Thanks and gratitude to Rinska, Eileen, Liz, Dusty, and the rest of this incredible team. As always, she dedicates her work to her two cats, Chicken and Friend. Caroline is represented by Shirley Hamilton Talent.

carolinekidwell.com

Georgia Dib (Ann U/S)

Georgia Dib (she/her) is a Brazilian actress and a recent graduate from Loyola University's Theater Program. Since graduating, Georgia has starred in Everybody at ETA Creative Arts and The Winter’s Tale at Oak Park Festival Theatre. She is represented by Big Mouth Talent.

Rio Ragazzone (Jamie/Stork U/S)

Rio Ragazzone (he/him) is excited to be working with Redtwist for the first time. Chicago credits include Almost, Maine (Oil Lamp Theatre), Mosquitoes (u/s, Steep Theatre Company), Much Ado About Nothing (Oak Park Festival Theatre); Taming of the Shrew, You Can't Take It With You (u/s, OPFT); In the Canyon, Among the Dead (Jackalope Theatre Company, u/s); Armonica's: The Secret Gem of the Southwest Side (Jackalope Groundworks Series.) Rio holds his Bachelor's in Theatre Arts from New Mexico State University. All his work is dedicated to his mother, Sarita Soliz Ragazzone.

Jacqueline Goldfinger (Playwright)

Jacqueline Goldfinger (she/her/hers/them/they/theirs) is a playwright, librettist, poet and dramaturg who grew up in rural North Florida with a love of music and storytelling. Today, they are an artist who seeks out unique collaborations, working across disciplines to create singular works of theater and opera. They began their career as a teaching artist and teaching/mentorship is still a significant part of their process.

Rinska Carrasco-Prestinary (Director)

Rinska Carrasco-Prestinary (she/her/hers) is a Dominican-American who is a proud member of SAG-AFTRA and Gray Talent Group. Carrasco-Prestinary’s previous Redtwist credits include: Isaac’s Eye, Death Tax and Between Riverside and Crazy. Other credits include Firefly Love (Something Marvelous); The River Ride (Halcyon) with other past selected production credits: Taming of the Shrew (assistant director, Barbara Gaines, director, Chicago Shakespeare) and Romeo and Juliet (directing intern, Marti Lyons, director, Chicago Shakespeare). When she is not directing you can catch her being silly with her baby.

Eileen Dixon (Assistant Director)

Eileen is new to Chicago, having recently completed her MFA in Acting and Directing from UMKC. Recently, Eileen joined the cast of Almost, Maine at Oil Lamp Theater, and before that she interned with Anna Ziegler on her new play The Janeiad at the Ojai Playwrights Conference. Eileen is a director, actor, and writer, with a particular love of new work. She is proud to have found her artistic home at Redtwist as the Community Director, and is ecstatic to be Assistant Directing this beautiful play and learning from the brilliant artists in this room. Eileen would like to thank Dusty Brown and Rinska Carrasco-Prestinary for all they have taught and continue to teach her.

eileendixon.com

Liz Patton (Stage Manager)

Liz Patton is a recent Ball State University graduate. Previously she has worked as an Assistant Stage Manager on the CoComelon Live! National Tour, and The Big Bang at the Actor’s Theatre of Indiana and on the stage management team on The Sound of Music, The Color Purple, and Kinky Boots at Maine State Music Theatre. Liz is very excited to be working with Redtwist for her first Chicago credit! She would like to thank the amazing cast and crew of Babel as well as her friends and family for all of their support and love.

pattonliz.wixsite.com

Haley Willits (Dramaturg)

Haley Willits (she/they) is a local Chicago dramaturg. Haley is excited to be working with Redtwist for the second time! Their previous dramaturgical credits include Oedipus Rex (a film noir-themed new adaptation), A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Trifles. In her spare time, Haley enjoys reading, drinking coffee, and playing with her two gremlin-cats, Mosely and Void.

Gaby Labotka (Intimacy and Fight Director)

Jonathan Berg-Einhorn (Scenic Designer)

Jonathan Berg-Einhorn(he/him) is a Chicago based designer and artisan. Favorite scenic design credits: Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (Mercury Theater),Hand to God (Paramount Theatre), Picasso at the Lapin Agile, The Christians (Citadel), Isaac’s Eye (Redtwist), Who Killed Joan Crawford? (Glitterati Productions), Man of the People (Stage Left), Alice in Wonderland, The ARC Trials (Mudlark Theatre); Curious George: The Golden Meatball (Hope Summer Repertory Theater); Brooke Astor’s Last Affair (Chicago Musical Theatre Festival), The Seven Deadly Sins, Endgame (Boston University).

Jonathanbergeinhorn.com

Jeff Brain (Property Designer and Technical Director)

Jeff Brain is a Props Designer, Technical Director, and Performer from Chicago. He has recently worked behind the scenes at The Alley Theatre (Houston TX), Fireside Theatre (Ft. Atkinson WI), American Players Theatre (Spring Green WI), as well as Redtwist, City Lit, and Pride Arts in Chicago. Onstage he has most recently appeared as Claudius in Hamlet (Fleeing Artists), Sir Beauteous in The Roaring Girl (Southwest Shakespeare) and Jack in The Importance of Being Earnest (College of Lake County). He enjoys woodworking, learning banjo, and cycling in what little spare time he has. Thank you for seeing the show and supporting the arts!

Kathleen Gardin (Costume Designer)

Kathleen Gardin graduated with a Costume Design, MFA from Ohio University in Athens, OH in 2020. She graduated and received a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre with a music minor at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas in 2017. In her collegiate training, she was involved with costuming, acting, and vocal performance. Kathleen has worked professionally with companies like the Glimmerglass Festival, Chicago Opera Theater, Texas Shakespeare Festival, Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre, and Crossroads Repertory Theatre. Abroad experience includes traveling to Scotland and performing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival as the title character in Alice in Wonderland. Kathleen is married to Nick Gardin, Steppenwolf props artisan, and lives with him and her tabby cat, L.E., in Chicago, IL. She enjoys outdoor activities like hiking and swimming. She adores adventuring to museums, especially art. At home, she loves to bake, cook, crochet, scrapbook, and read.

kathleeneasterling.wixsite.com

Cat Davis (Lighting Designer)

Cat Davis is delighted to be working with Redtwist again. She has worked previously with Thompson Street Opera, Mudlark Theatre in Evanston, and Halcyon Theatre where she received a Jeff award for Riverbride and a nomination for Destroya. She is a company member at Broken Nose Threatre where she has designed Girl in the Red Corner and After the Blast.

Jake Sorgen (Sound Designer)

Jake Sorgen is a Chicago-based composer, multi-instrumentalist, and writer. He has composed scores in Chicago for Redtwist Theatre, The Story Theatre, Trap Door Theatre, 2nd Story, Haven Theatre, The Passage Theatre, A Theatre in the Dark, Oakton College, Stage Left Theatre, and many others around the country. His original works – often merging text, movement, and music – have been performed by Invoke String Quartet, Kite Saxophone Quartet, Loadbang Ensemble, Outlet Trio, Ashley Bathgate, and other groups featuring Jake as an instrumentalist and narrator. From 2014-2019, Jake served as Artistic Associate and Resident Composer for The Rogue Theatre in Tucson, AZ and was named the “Maverick Prodigy Composer” by The Maverick Concert Hall in 2018. He holds an MFA in Composition from the Vermont College of Fine Arts

Special thanks…

…on this production go to Kathleen's husband, Nick Gardin, who built the stork masks used in tonight's performance; and to Rinska's husband, James Bateman, who cared for baby Ashana so that Rinska could come and play with us!

Mar 26 - Apr 30

PREVIEWS

Mar 23, 24, 25 at 7:30pm

OPENING

Sun, Mar 26 at 3:30pm

UNDERSTUDY

Sun, Apr 9 at 3:30pm

Thu, Apr 20 at 7:30pm

Run Time

1 hour and 30 minutes

Up Next at Redtwist

Agnes of God by John Pielmeier

June 4 - July 9

At Redtwist Theatre we make searing hot dramas, in a tiny black box, with a little red twist, and we could not do that without generous grants from:

The Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelly Foundation

The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation

The Illinois Arts Council Agency