Name: Kimberly Senior

Position/Role: Director

1. Is this your first time working at NEXT? No

2. If no, what was the first show you ever did at NEXT? Yellowman (Asst Light Design); Busy World is Hushed (Director)

3. What aspect of your character do you like best? The ability to get along with anyone

4. Most difficult play you ever directed: First time I did Three Sisters – Collaboraction 1998

5. Favorite article of clothing? Pair of Seven jeans from 2000 – holes everwhere!

Read More >]]>

Name: Kimberly Senior

Position/Role: Director

1. Is this your first time working at NEXT? No

2. If no, what was the first show you ever did at NEXT? Yellowman (Asst Light Design); Busy World is Hushed (Director)

3. What aspect of your character do you like best? The ability to get along with anyone

4. Most difficult play you ever directed: First time I did Three Sisters – Collaboraction 1998

5. Favorite article of clothing? Pair of Seven jeans from 2000 – holes everwhere!

6. Favorite kid’s book growing up? Ferdinand the Bull

7. As a child, what was your dream job? Actor

8. What foreign language would you like to learn? Hindi

9. Hidden talent: Pottery

10. What superpower would you like to have? Body doubling

11. Favorite vacation spot: Galena

12. Best place to go in Chicago? Promontory Point – where I’m getting married in May!

13. Describe the best meal you’ve ever had: First cheeseburger post 14 years of vegetarianism

14. What’s the best meal you’ve ever cooked? I’m a foodie – I cook constantly!

15. Your worst habit? Nailbiting

16. Strangest nickname you’ve been given: Kimbo Slice

17. What time in history would you like to have lived through? I was definitely a flapper in a former life.

18.  Least favorite food? Raw Onions

19. Honey or Sugar? Splenda

20. What is your first memory? Petting baby chicks at the Bronx Zoo OR wishing on a star for my sister.

Name: MaryAnn Thebus

Position/Role: Vera

1. Is this your first time working at NEXT? No

2. If no, what was the first show you ever did at NEXT? It was long ago.  Can’t remember.

3. What aspect of your character do you like best? Outspoken and deaf.

4. Most difficult play you were ever in: Irish Play – Bailegangaire.

5. Favorite article of clothing? Sweater

6. Favorite kid’s book growing up? When We Were Very Young – Milne.

7. As a child, what ... Read More >]]>

Name: MaryAnn Thebus

Position/Role: Vera

1. Is this your first time working at NEXT? No

2. If no, what was the first show you ever did at NEXT? It was long ago.  Can’t remember.

3. What aspect of your character do you like best? Outspoken and deaf.

4. Most difficult play you were ever in: Irish Play – Bailegangaire.

5. Favorite article of clothing? Sweater

6. Favorite kid’s book growing up? When We Were Very Young – Milne.

7. As a child, what was your dream job? Working in a candy store

8. What foreign language would you like to learn? Spanish

9. Hidden talent: Wiggle ears/Distort my lip

10. What superpower would you like to have? Relive certain experiences

11. Favorite vacation spot: Woods

12. Best place to go in Chicago? Where my granddaughter is

13. Describe the best meal you’ve ever had: The last one.

14. What’s the best meal you’ve ever cooked? Ratatouille

15. Your worst habit? Eating sugar

16. Strangest nickname you’ve been given: Doodle

17. What time in history would you like to have lived through? 20’s

18.  Least favorite food? Cooked carrots

19. Honey or Sugar? Sugar

20. What is your first memory? Going to the playground across the street from our new apartment. I was 3.

Position/Role: Scenic Designer

1. Is this your first time working at NEXT? No

2. If no, what was the first show you ever did at NEXT? Accidental Death of an Anarchist

3. What aspect of your character do you like best? I don’t accept common place answers.

4. Most difficult play you were ever in? I will not bring it up – too painful.

5. Favorite article of clothing? Shoes

6. Favorite kid’s book growing up? The Mr. Men ... Read More >]]> Name: Keith Pitts

Position/Role: Scenic Designer

1. Is this your first time working at NEXT? No

2. If no, what was the first show you ever did at NEXT? Accidental Death of an Anarchist

3. What aspect of your character do you like best? I don’t accept common place answers.

4. Most difficult play you were ever in? I will not bring it up – too painful.

5. Favorite article of clothing? Shoes

6. Favorite kid’s book growing up? The Mr. Men books

7. As a child, what was your dream job? Artist

8. What foreign language would you like to learn? Spanish

9. Hidden talent: Amateur Philosopher

10. What superpower would you like to have? Control time

11. Favorite vacation spot: Acapulco

12. Best place to go in Chicago? Laschet’s Inn – German Restaurant on Irving Park

13. Describe the best meal you’ve ever had: BBQ Brisket & Peach Cobbler at Salt Lick – Driftwood, Texas

14. What’s the best meal you’ve ever cooked? 4^th of July Parties – Brisket, Pulled Pork, etc…

15. Your worst habit? Cracking my knuckles

16. Strangest nickname you’ve been given: Beef

17. What time in history would you like to have lived through? Turn of the 18^th/19^th Century, Paris

18.  Least favorite food? Sardines

19. Honey or Sugar? Sugar

20. What is your first memory? Listening to Captain & Tenille on 8-track (my sister’s album)

Members of the creative team working on After the Revolution compiled a dramaturgy packet that lends insight into Amy Herzog’s complex and tightly-woven tale of a leftist, Jewish family forced to reconcile their identities with the legacy of their patriarch.

Against the back drop of the Cold War and McCarthyism, After the Revolution lends itself to rewarding historical and cultural excavation.  See what the dramaturgs discovered!

aftertherevolutiondramturgy4.4 (1)

Name: Claire Redfield

Position/Role: Assistant Director

1. Is this your first time working at NEXT? Yes

2. What aspect of your character do you like best? Empathy

3. Most difficult play you were ever in? Pinocchio when I was 14

4. Favorite article of clothing? Earrings – does that count?

5. Favorite kid’s book growing up? Where the Wild Things Are or Ella Enchanted

6. As a child, what was your dream job? Ballerina

7. What foreign language would you ... Read More >]]>

Name: Claire Redfield

Position/Role: Assistant Director

1. Is this your first time working at NEXT? Yes

2. What aspect of your character do you like best? Empathy

3. Most difficult play you were ever in? Pinocchio when I was 14

4. Favorite article of clothing? Earrings – does that count?

5. Favorite kid’s book growing up? Where the Wild Things Are or Ella Enchanted

6. As a child, what was your dream job? Ballerina

7. What foreign language would you like to learn? Xhosa or Zulu

8. Hidden talent: French-braiding my hair

9. What superpower would you like to have? Flying

10. Favorite vacation spot: South Africa

11. Best place to go in Chicago? Lincoln Park  Caldwell Lily Pond

12. Describe the best meal you’ve ever had: Italy, pasta, yum…

13. What’s the best meal you’ve ever cooked? Lentils and spinach

14. Your worst habit? Apologizing too much

15. Strangest nickname you’ve been given: Claire Bear

16. What time in history would you like to have lived through? The 60’s

17.  Least favorite food? Meat

18. Honey or Sugar? Honey

19. What is your first memory? There was a Winnie-the-Pooh nightlight.

Name: Tasha Anne James

Position/Role: Mel

1. Is this your first time working at NEXT? No

2. If no, what was the first show you ever did at NEXT? Helen

3. What aspect of your character do you like best? Grounded, heart-on-her-sleeve gal.

4. Most difficult play you were ever in: The Quilt. Most difficult set to move = Major Barbara.

5. Favorite article of clothing? Short brown leather booties.

6. Favorite kid’s book growing up? I ... Read More >]]>  

Name: Tasha Anne James

Position/Role: Mel

1. Is this your first time working at NEXT? No

2. If no, what was the first show you ever did at NEXT? Helen

3. What aspect of your character do you like best? Grounded, heart-on-her-sleeve gal.

4. Most difficult play you were ever in: The Quilt. Most difficult set to move = Major Barbara.

5. Favorite article of clothing? Short brown leather booties.

6. Favorite kid’s book growing up? I Had Trouble in Getting to Solla Sollew

7. As a child, what was your dream job? Diane Sawyer’s job

8. What foreign language would you like to learn? Arabic

9. Hidden talent: I take credit for everything, so nothing is hidden.  I make a killer whoopie pie.

10. What superpower would you like to have? Infinite Patience

11. Favorite vacation spot: Yosemite National Park

12. Best place to go in Chicago? Lakefront

13. Describe the best meal you’ve ever had: I’m sure it involved whipped cream or custard and pizza.

14. What’s the best meal you’ve ever cooked? Ham, mac and cheese, lima beans, and berry trifle.

15. Your worst habit? Impatience and quick to anger – also, I’m filthy.

16. Strangest nickname you’ve been given: Cha Cha

17. What time in history would you like to have lived through? 1900 – turn of the 20^th Century

18.  Least favorite food? Brussel Sprouts

19. Honey or Sugar? Sugar!!

20. What is your first memory? A purple coat – faux fur.  Living in an apartment that had a pool.

Name: Kate Hardiman

Position/Role: Assistant Dramaturg

1. Is this your first time working at NEXT? Yep!

2. What aspect of your character do you like best? My wit and charm.

4. Favorite article of clothing? My watch. I’ve had it since I was 13 years old and I never leave the house without it.

6. Favorite kid’s book growing up?  The Foot Book by Dr. Seuss. I have a thing for anapestic tetrameter.

7. As a child, what ... Read More >]]>

Name: Kate Hardiman

Position/Role: Assistant Dramaturg

1. Is this your first time working at NEXT? Yep!

2. What aspect of your character do you like best? My wit and charm.

4. Favorite article of clothing? My watch. I’ve had it since I was 13 years old and I never leave the house without it.

6. Favorite kid’s book growing up?  The Foot Book by Dr. Seuss. I have a thing for anapestic tetrameter.

7. As a child, what was your dream job?   Firefighting Clown.

8. What foreign language would you like to learn? Gaelic

9. Hidden talent: I can quote all 104 glorious minutes of Ron Howard’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas

10. What superpower would you like to have? Zack Morris’ Time Out

11. Favorite vacation spot: Door County, Wisconsin

12. Best place to go in Chicago? Blue Line Lounge on Damen in Wicker Park. Best sweet potato fries. Ever.

13. Describe the best meal you’ve ever had: Everything was beautiful and nothing hurt.

14. What’s the best meal you’ve ever cooked? I’m a master at making spaghetti tacos

15. Your worst habit? I talk to myself. A lot.

16. Strangest nickname you’ve been given: My younger brother would call me Gunna when we were kids. I still don’t know why.

17. What time in history would you like to have lived through? The Roaring Twenties

18.  Least favorite food? The kind that isn’t in my mouth.

19. Honey or Sugar? Honey. It never spoils!

20. What is your first memory? Climbing down into my house’s window wells to rescue toads and other small animals. I found a field mouse once and tried to bring it in the house. My mom wasn’t to thrilled with that to say the least.

Name: Chris Kriz

Position/Role: Sound Designer

1. Is this your first time working at NEXT? No

2. If no, what was the first show you ever did at NEXT? Madagascar

3. What aspect of your character do you like best? Optimism.

4. Favorite article of clothing? Anything new.

5. Favorite kid’s book growing up? Where the Sidewalk Ends

6. As a child, what was your dream job? Rock Star

7. What foreign language would you like to learn? French

8. Hidden ... Read More >]]>  

Name: Chris Kriz

Position/Role: Sound Designer

1. Is this your first time working at NEXT? No

2. If no, what was the first show you ever did at NEXT? Madagascar

3. What aspect of your character do you like best? Optimism.

4. Favorite article of clothing? Anything new.

5. Favorite kid’s book growing up? Where the Sidewalk Ends

6. As a child, what was your dream job? Rock Star

7. What foreign language would you like to learn? French

8. Hidden talent: Problem Solver

9. What superpower would you like to have? Invisibility

10. Favorite vacation spot: All of them

11. Best place to go in Chicago? Anywhere there is live music

12. Describe the best meal you’ve ever had: My dad’s pork roast, dumplings, sauerkraut.

13. What’s the best meal you’ve ever cooked? I made the best bacon sandwich this morning.

14. Your worst best habit? Procrastination

15. Strangest nickname you’ve been given: Krizball

16. What time in history would you like to have lived through? 19^th century England

17.  Least favorite food? Eggs

18. Honey or Sugar? Honey

19. What is your first memory? Sitting on the beach at Lake Michigan

By Daniel Smith (Dramaturg)

During the third scene of The Girl in the Yellow Dress, Celia giddily confesses to having stolen many of the books in her apartment.  She mentions the authors Rainer Maria Rilke, D.H. Lawrence, and Virginia Woolf.  Celia has also stolen an unspecified number of volumes from the Everyman’s Library, a collection published by Random House and originally intended to provide “new and beautiful editions of world’s classics at ... Read More >]]> Stealing the Western Canon with Celia and Pierre

By Daniel Smith (Dramaturg)

During the third scene of The Girl in the Yellow Dress, Celia giddily confesses to having stolen many of the books in her apartment.  She mentions the authors Rainer Maria Rilke, D.H. Lawrence, and Virginia Woolf.  Celia has also stolen an unspecified number of volumes from the Everyman’s Library, a collection published by Random House and originally intended to provide “new and beautiful editions of world’s classics at one shilling a volume,” in order to bring great works of literature to the average person at an inexpensive price.  By literally stealing these books, is Celia enacting a kind of feminist revenge on the sexism of western literature?

French colonization brought great works of literature to the average colonial subject with a different kind of price-tag.  Among other writers associated with the negritude movement, Aimé Césaire criticized the French colonial government and its “mission civilisatrice” (“civilizing mission”) by referring to specific educational practices.  Elementary school students in Martinique and Senegal were required to recite history lessons that described the Gauls as their tall, blond ancestors: “Nos ancêtres les Gaulois, grands et blonds…”  Numerous post-colonial black writers have described the cognitive dissonance these recitations caused them.  Students in Senegal’s elite Ecole William Ponty were required to create ethnographic dramas mocking the traditional African customs of their families in order to better embrace French culture.  Pierre cites this legacy of colonial education, giving it an Anglophone twist by referring to Joseph Conrad: “I’m the one from the heart of darkness, yes? ,,.Don’t worry, I’ve read that book.  The cannibals that come out of the bush.  The forest heads on the sticks, all along the river.  Open your books to page number twenty-six!  And me—the only dark one there!”

Feminist and post-colonial writers have frequently appropriated—or “stolen”—works from the western canon as a way of talking back.  Virginia Woolf famously wrote about Shakespeare’s sister; Aimé Césaire revised The Tempest as Une Tempête, emphasizing Ariel’s and Caliban’s divergent strategies of dealing with Prospero as colonizer.  In his novel Foe, South African Nobel Prize winner J.M. Coetzee reworked Robinson Crusoe from the perspective of a woman who landed on the island with Crusoe and Friday.

It is tempting to see Celia and Pierre as allegorical figures, with Celia representing all woman-kind and Pierre standing in for all colonized peoples.  But Higginson’s play is far more interesting and complex if we view the characters as two flawed individuals.  Race and gender are part of who they are, and indeed those categories have caused both of them some major psychological damage.  Celia and Pierre stand alone as individuals.  They are brought together and pulled apart by the stories they choose to tell about themselves.

ROLE: Stage Manager for The Girl in the Yellow Dress

Q: Have you worked at Next before? Yes

Q: What have you worked on?

A:  About a dozen here at Next. The Adding Machine was the project that I’m proudest of in my career.

Q: What attracted you to The Girl in the Yellow Dress?

A: I love the awareness of how poor we are at using language to communicate.

Q: ... Read More >]]> RICHARD LUNDY