The Trap Door Theatre Presents OCCIDENTAL EXPRESS

The Trap Door Theatre is proud to present Occidental Express, written by Matei Visniec, translated by Nick Awde, and directed by Istvan Szabo K.

Cast: Dennis Bisto, Michael Garvey, Emily Nichelson, Beata Pilch, Mike Steele and Nicole Wiesner.

Matei Visniec playwright, poet and journalist, was born in Romania, and now lives in Paris. He began writing for the theatre in 1977. Early in his career Visniec's plays were banned by the Romanian censors. In 1987 he was invited to France by a literary foundation. While there, he asked for and received political asylum. After the fall of communism in Romania, in 1989, Visniec became one of the most performed playwrights in the country. Visniec gained international attention in 1992, with productions of Horses at the Window in France, and Old Clown Wanted at the "Bonner Biennale". Since then, Matei Visniec's work has been produced in France, Germany, United States, Denmark, Austria, Poland, Finland, Italy, Turkey, Brazil, Romania, and Moldavia. Most recently, his play The Word Progress on My Mother's Lips Doesn't Ring True was the winner of the "Best Play in the Off-section" at the Avignon Festival in 2009.

István Szabó K. Born in Romania, István Szabó K. has worked throughout Romania, Hungary and Germany. He has served as Artistic Director of Szigligeti Hungarian State Theatre in Oradea,Theatre Director of the Hungarian State Theatre in Timisoara, and the Young Theatre in Piatra Neamt. At the Tomcsa Sandor Theatre in Odorheiu Secuiesc he held several positions, including Artistic Director, General Manager and the Theatre Director. Mr. Szabó has also worked as the resident director at the Arca Independent Theatre in Bucharest, and currently, he is living as freelancer in Budapest, Hungary. Awards for his directorial work include: The Imagine International Festival for The Wedding, TopFest National Festival for Le Enfant Terribles and the Interethnic Theatre Festival "Press Prize" for Teibale and her Demon,The Contemporary Drama Festival for Attention, the doors are closing! Award of Excellency (accorded by Ministry of Culture from Romania - S?laj County Center) forThe word Progress on my mother`s lips doesn`t ring true, directed at the Trap Door Theatre from Chicago.

Set Designer Stefan Roseen/ Costume Designer Rachel Sypniewski/Lighting Designer Richard Norwood/ Music Composer Ovidio Iloc/ Sound Designer Danny Rockett/ Make-up Designer Zsofia Otvos/Dramaturg Milan Pribisic/Graphic Designer Michal Janicki/Stage Manager Skye Fort/Assistant Stage Manager Julia Santha

When: Opens: Thursday October 12, 2107 at 8PM

Closes: Saturday November 18, 2017 at 8PM

Runs: Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8PM

Admission: $20 on Thursdays, Fridays, $25 on Saturdays, 2 for 1 Admission on Fridays

Where: TRAP DOOR THEATRE 1655 West Cortland Ave. Chicago, IL 60622

For Information/Reservations: 773-384-0494 To purchase online visit www.trapdoortheatre.com.

This project is supported by Trust for Mutual Understanding.