ABOUT

A revolutionary, multicultural play about the effects of systemic racism on two Black American teens, The Great Khan is a National New Play Network rolling world premiere. Jayden is a high schooler struggling with what he wants to be, a nerd who loves video games and fantasy, or a strong man who doesn't need to fear anyone. Ant is a young woman rediscovering herself after tragedy and trying to define herself against society's expectations. Gao Ming is a precocious YouTuber, committed to helping people fully express their authentic selves. When Jayden looks for answers from his most recent homework assignment, the friends' lives are upended by the arrival of the Great Khan himself.

Bios

Simon Gebremedhin (Jayden)

Simon Gebremedhin hails from Skokie, IL. He is a company member of Theatre L’Acadie in Chicago & has also performed with various theatres around the city of Chicago including Definition Theatre’s production of Ethiopian America, The Goodman’s ‘I AM…Fest’ in The Principals of Cartography, Haven Theatre’s production of 2x2 & multiple staged readings with Theatre L’Acadie! Some of his favorite roles he has played include Abdul Jackson in Powerless Gods, Prospero in The Tempest & Dan Connally in An Almost Perfect Person. He would like to thank his family, friends, mentors & teachers for the consistent love, support & knowledge they have given him along the way.

Monique Marshaun (Ant)

Monique (she/hers) is an actor, filmmaker and trauma-informed yoga instructor from the southside of Chicago. She is so grateful and excited to be making her debut at Redtwist Theatre! Recent credits include 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. Monique's films have been featured in Trans Stellar Film Festival, Hot Wheelz Festival, Chicago Onscreen: Local Film Showcase, Stellium Literary Magazine and Woman Made Gallery’s “Water Becomes Blood” exhibit. 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. Find her @thebarefootgriot on IG. “Much love to my Creator, my riders and every little Black girl who was forced to grow up too fast.”

LaTorious Givens (Crystal)

LaTorious is a local Chicago actor, originally from Birmingham, AL. She is elated to be making her Redtwist debut. Her recent theatre credits include working with Free Street, Black Beauty Festival, and MPAACT. She is looking forward to many more opportunities here in this wonderful city.

latoriousgivens.wixsite.com/mysite/press

latoriousgivens.com/

Josie Mi (Gao-Ming)

Josie Mi, 廣新囡, is a current senior in the BFA Acting program at The Theatre School at DePaul University; there she has been in Goosebumps The Musical, Top Girls, and Peerless. Her Regional Credits include: 2022 Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival: Romeo & Juliet (Juliet), and All’s Well That Ends Well (Widow/Diana U/S). Josie is so happy to be here at Red Twist! You can find her on Instagram: @itsjosiemi | See you “under the eternal blue sky!”

josiemi.com

Bryan Breau (Mr. Adams)

Bryan Breau is thrilled to be back on stage after a very long pandemic break and in his first show with Redtwist. An Artistic Associate member of The Plagiarists, you last saw him as Reynie in Poison (Spring 2020). Other credits include Some Like it Red and Gilgamesh (The Plagiarists), Dead Man's Cell Phone (The Comrades), and Everything in Between (Dandelion Theatre). Originally an east coast transplant, Bryan has been acting in Chicago since 2007 with such companies as: Abraham Werewolf, Oracle Productions, Infamous Commonwealth Theatre, New Millennium Theatre, Halcyon Theatre, and Steel Beam Theatre of St. Charles. Bryan earned his BA in Theatre and English at Virginia Tech University.

Steffen Diem Garcia (Temujin)

"Find your chill." -Genghis Khan. Steffen feels extremely lucky to be apart of this production. This is his first show with Redtwist Theatre. Steffen is currently co-producing Social Justice Playfest: The While Series with Toma Lynn Smith. Steffen starred & produced the film The Last House of Horror directed by Manny Velazquez. Premieres Friday the 13th, October 2023! SINITE ARTES FLORERE!

steffendiemgarcia.com

Gardy Gilbert (Jayden U/S)

Gardy is thrilled to be working with Redtwist Theatre for the first time! He is a Chicago-based theatre artist. He graduated from Ball State University from their Acting BFA program. Some of his most recent credits include Botticelli in the Fire (First Floor Theater); The Aliens (Kalliope and Co.); Remote (BoHo Theatre); Scary Stories: Are You Afraid and Dark Web (Random Acts Chicago); and Try to Be (La Vuelta Ensemble). He is incredibly thankful for the never ending support from his friends and family.

gardygilbert.com

Lauryn Glenn (Ant U/S)

Lauryn Glenn is a Chicago based actor and alum of Ohio University’s College of Fine Arts. She is ecstatic to be joining Redtwist Theatre for their 2023 season! Her most recent shows include Hotel Berry (Eliza Davison) Tantrum Theater, A Christmas Carol (Ensemble/Mrs. Cratchit u/s) Milwaukee Rep, The Nerd (Tansy McGinnis u/s) Milwaukee Rep, Hedwig and The Angry Inch (Roadie) Milwaukee Rep, Eclipsed (Helena, Maima, Rita u/s) Milwaukee Rep and The Niceties (Zoe u/s) Milwaukee Rep.

Venice Averyheart (Crystal U/S)

Venice is a Chicago native and is excited to be making her debut with Redtwist Theatre. Past performances have included Medea Material (Trap Door Theatre), The Martyrdom of Peter O'hey (Trap Door Theatre), The Yellow Wallpaper (Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble) and Master Comic (MPAACT). She loves tasting exotic fruits as well as juicing (despite the mess that may occur). With that said she would like to thank her family and friends for coming to the show!

Rachel Kim (Gao-Ming U/S)

Rachel A. Kim (Gao-Ming U/S) is making her Redtwist Theatre and Chicago debut with The Great Khan. Her most recent work can be seen on FOX’s The Big Leap (TV) and ISS:Icarus (Podcast). Her training includes The New York Conservatory for the Dramatic Arts, Speiser/Sturges, and Acting Studio Chicago. Rachel is also a dancer who has worked with choreographers like Christopher Scott, Comfort Fedoke, Mandy Moore, and the Kinjaz. Instagram: @rachelakim_

Travis Monroe Neese (Mr. Adams U/S)

Travis Monroe Neese (he/him) is a Chicago based actor, director, and screenwriter. Regional: Malapert Love (Montoya U/S, The Artistic Home), It's A Wonderful Life (George Bailey, Oil Lamp Theatre), Into the Woods (Cinderella's Father/Swing, Big Noise Theatre), Evil Dead: The Musical (Ash, Pipe Dreams Studio), [title of show] (Jeff, Adolescent Anarchy Productions), Carrie: The Musical (Billy Nolan, Stagewest Iowa) Prophet$ (Red U/S, The Factory Theatre), The Fantasticks (Bellomy, Ogorod Productions), Bewildered (Ensemble, U/S Larry Tate, U/S Mr. Tumer, Hell in a Handbag). On Camera: The Survey (Lead), Awkward Sexual Encounters (Lead), The Poet (Co-Star), The Casty Party (Supporting). Directing: The Sound of Music (Big Noise Theatre), Elephant and Piggie: We're in a Play! (Big Noise Theatre), Jersey Shore: The Musical (Pipe Dreams Studio), Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead (Pipe Dreams Studio), Gruesome Playground Injuries (Independent). Thank you to the cast, crew, friends and family, and Eric for taking care of Potter while spending many late nights in rehearsal!

Jamal Howard (Director)

Jamal Howard is thrilled to make his Redtwist debut! He is a Chicago-based theatre artist, director, and choreographer. Originally from San Jose, California, Jamal is dedicated to honest and courageous storytelling. He is the Co-Artistic Director of New American Folk Theatre, an Associate Company Member with TUTA Theatre, and served as Associate Artistic Director for Emerald City Theatre. Jamal’s choreography is currently on display in Boho Theatre’s production of Tick, Tick… Boom. Recent directing and choreography credits include The Apple Tree (Porchlight Music Theatre), 8-Track: The Sounds of the 70s and Songs for A New World (Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre); R.E.S.P.E.C.T. (national tour) and Bachelor: The Unauthorized Parody Musical (Right Angle Entertainment); The Mole Hill Stories (Madison Children’s Theatre), Corduroy, The Wiz, and Magic Tree House (Emerald City Theatre); Dirty Girl, Scraps, and Dark of the Moon (New American Folk Theatre). Jamal thanks his friends and family for their support and giving him the strength to be a courageous storyteller.

Shariba Rivers (Casting Director)*

Alanna Young (Stage Manager)

Rose Johnson (Scenic Designer + Charge Artist)

Dusty Brown (Technical Director)*

Henry Sebastian Bender (Props Master)

Jazmin Aurora Medina (Costume Designer)

Jazmin Aurora Medina (haz-meen) (she/her/ella) is a queer Xicana costume designer born and bred from Milwaukee, WI! She’s thrilled to be working her first show with Redtwist Theatre this season! Current season professional credits include Chicago Children’s Theatre/Seattle Children’s Theatre, Filament Theatre, Northbrook Theatre, First Stage Children’s Theater and Next Act Theatre. Jazmin graduated with a B.A. in theatre arts with a focus in costume design and wardrobe from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside in 2017. She is also currently working on her B.F.A. in art & design with a focus in digital studio practice, fibers, and community arts. In 2019, Jazmin received the honor of being selected as one of thirty-four US young emerging (costume) designers for the 2019 Prague Quadrennial for EURYDICE at UW-Milwaukee at Waukesha. Jazmin wouldn't be here without the support of her incredible family, friends and community, and would like to continually honor them through her work. To see more, check out @jazminnauroraa on Instagram

jazminaurora.com.

Piper Kirchhofer (Lighting Designer)

Piper Kirchhofer is excited to join this incredibly talented team and share this story with you. You may have seen her work at: Tick, Tick... BOOM! (BoHo Theatre), Macbeth (Three Crows), Hurricane Diane (Theatre Wit), 8 Track and Once Upon a Mattress (Theo Ubique Cabaret) Romeo and Juliet (Ohio University), Buddy! The Buddy Holly Story, Morningside, and Having Our Say: The Delaney Sisters’ First 100 Years (Georgia Ensemble Theatre). Thank you for supporting live theatre!

piperlighting.com

Max Cichon (Sound Designer)

More bios coming soon!

The Great Khan is presented by special arrangement with National New Play Network.

Jan 22 - Feb 26

PREVIEWS

Jan 19, 20, 21 at 7:30pm

OPENING

Sun, Jan 22 at 3:30pm

UNDERSTUDY

Sun, Feb 5 at 3:30pm

Thu, Feb 16 at 7:30pm

Run Time

1 hour and 45 minutes with a 15 minute intermission.

Up Next at Redtwist

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March 26 - April 30

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June 4 - July 9