REDLETTER Opens 2/23 at The Neo-Futurarium
By: Tyler Peterson Feb. 20, 2015
Digital technology allows journalists to capture the defining moments of our time quickly and comprehensively. But is faster necessarily better? Is modern journalism living up to its expectations? Redletter looks at the plusses and pitfalls behind the most recent evolution of the press and delves into the ensemble members' complex relationship with the news. The Neos examine digital journalism with their signature mix of intelligent humor and poignant drama. Featuring Neo-Futurists Bilal Dardai, Trevor Dawkins and local live lit favorites Lisa Buscani, Lindsay Muscato and Thea Lux.
Lisa Buscani states, "Everyone's bemoaning the 'death of news.' But the news will never die, not as long as humans do newsworthy things. Journalism's going through growing pains in a different medium. Redletter explores the cast's unique connections to the news and shines a light on the problematic areas."
Lisa Buscani (Creator, Writer, Ensemble) is a National Poetry Slam champion as well as a Pushcart Prize nominee for poetry. She has published one book of poetry, Jangle (Tia Chucha Press) and has appeared in poetry anthologies such as Alive from the NuYorican Poets Cafe (Holt), Word Up (Keyporter Books/EMI), The Complete Idiot's Guide to Slam Poetry (Alpha Penquin), and American Poetry: The Next Generation (Carnegie Mellon Press). Lisa has appeared on HBO, CNN, PBS, Much Music and NPR and produced three solo shows, Carnival Animale, At That Time and Solid Citizen. She contributes regularly to Chicago's Live Lit scene, writing for The Paper Machete, and WRITE CLUB. She is a Neo-Futurists alum, and also appears in the Late Nite Catechism shows at The Royal George Theatre. She has reviewed theater for Time Out Chicago and Newcity. She teaches Ethics in Computer Games and Cinema at DePaul, where she received her masters degree in Media and Cinema Studies.
Jen Ellison (Director) has worked all around Chicago as an actor, writer and director for Trap Door Theatre, ComedySportz, Theatre Seven, Collaboraction, The Neo-Futurists and, most recently, Second City's E.T.C. Stage. In addition to teaching Ethics at DePaul University and Writing at The Second City Training Center, she is also a member of the Comedy Studies faculty at Columbia College Chicago.
The cast of Redletter includes: Lisa Buscani, Bilal Dardai* who created The Sovereign Statement (Joseph Jefferson nomination: Best New Work) with the Neo-Futurists and authored The Man Who Was Thursday (Joseph Jefferson nomination: Best New Work - Adaptation) with New Leaf Theatre; Lindsay Muscato who writes for websites, edits books, co-produces WRITE CLUB and writes through Pixiehammer Press; Trevor Dawkins* who created and/or performed in Neo-Futurist productions Haymaker, Chalk and Saltwater: The Ladder Project, Daredevils Hamlet and Analog; and Thea Lux who is a founding member of The New Colony where she was a composer/lyricist for That Sordid Little Story (Joseph Jefferson Award: Original Incidental Music) and helped create 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche (Best Production: Fringe NYC). *denotes Neo-Futurist ensemble member
The Redletter staff includes: Mike Durst (Lighting Designer), Paul Deziel (Projections Designer), Rachel Sypniewski (Costume Designer), Eli Van Sickel (Sound Designer), Archer Curry (Properties Designer), Victoria R. Golden (Production Manager) and Alec Torres (Assistant Director). Kate Hardiman and Laura Bretheim serve as Stage Manager and Assistant Stage Manager respectively.
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