Jean E. Compton

I worked on 3 productions from 2018-2019 with Mudlark Theater, “where children are taken seriously as artists, and learn theater by making it.” These productions had casts of young performers from 7-15 alongside professional adult actors. It was so rewarding to be able to help create new, challenging, and entertaining works of theatre with these new artists.

MUDPIE 2018

Mudlark’s annual celebration of young writers and performers.

23 plays by Evanston youth, directed by Krista D’Agostino & John Taflan

CAST: Amanda Biggs, Amariah Bull, Caius Ahn, Caroline Brady, Eva Morales-Grahl, Griffin Kearns, Hanna Lindroth, Henry Bush, Honor Michel, Lauren Guevara, Layla Ellis, Louis Hodges, Noa Silins, Olivia Eason, Oscar Baliga, Rory Behm, Sam Molitor, Sydney Chow, Teddy Gallun, Vincent Perez

ARTISTIC TEAM: Scenic Design/Technical Director: Deborah Baxter, Lighting Design: Jessica Doyle, Sound Design: Grover Hollway

CANDIDE

or, Optimism, or, #blessed, or, A journey into pain and suffering and the demise of privileged innocence and—wait, how are middle schoolers going to do this? or, Candide!

World Premiere TYA Adaptation by John Taflan, directed by Krista D’Agostino & John Taflan

 CAST: Candide/Sheep: Griffin Kearns/Andrew Skinner, Cunegonde: Lauren Guevara, Ana: Maddy Pollard, Salvadum: Estevan Torres, Pangloss: Brian Tochterman, Old Woman: Moira Begale, Baron/Holy Asker: Jeremiah Davis, Baroness/Martin: Amelia Bethel, Jimmy von Thundertentronck: Nat Sotnick, Holy Answerer/Servant: Louis Hodges, Jacques/Tough Guy: Ben Henderson, Jac/Sheep: Maya Jaffe, Hans/Decian: Andrew Feingold-Fisher, Maurice/Arnold/Fancy Sheep: Charlie Settimi, Royal Announcer/Dinkel/Rich: Chaz Thompson, Nathaniel/Vincent: Darrion Cole, Reba/Porti/Fancy Sheep: Isa Chiwah, Wes/Wando: John Bezaitis, Queen Colette/Ricarda: Josephine Layden, Smith/Clepto: Katie Dunn, Queen/Connie: Leah Johnson, Ingrid/Denny/Fancy Sheep: Lila Selch, Dustal/Pomelio: Luc Van Haelewyn, Joe/Nicholas/Rich: Milo Slevin, Cyrill/Horton: Nate Fishman, Jubilee/Bessie: Oona O’Brien, Franken, Rich: Sam Consiglio, Hinkel/Fancy Sheep: Theo Kayaian

ARTISTIC TEAM: Scenic Design: Milo Bue, Lighting Design: David Goodman-Edberg, Sound Design: Hannah Foerschler, Costume Design: Dana Anderson, Props Design: Hillarie Shockley

Photos by Andrew Johnston

3:35PM

World Premiere by Christina Lepri, directed by Will Quam

CAST: The Carpool Kids: Olivia- Lily Benjamin, Ben- Sam Kalil, Hannah- Elliot Hoffner, Angela- Lauren Guevara

The Wild Things: Stephen- Kirby Cox, Moira- Frances Heldt, Layden- Giles Gilbert Bartell, Keys- Massimo Cabrera

The Red Dawn: Chip- Sean Narducy, Dana- Katie Dunn, Gerdie- Emersen Mann, Lee- Ronan Young

The Flock: Bees- Greta Coleman, Bo- Charles Halliday, Pew- Zoë Lee, Marzi-Gemma Callam

The Lone Wolves: Marcus- Louis Hodges, Mary Beth- Audrey Levisay

The Office Kids: Meera- Maia Bitkin, Eden- Simon Rios

ARTISTIC TEAM: Scenic Design: Nikolaj Sorenson, Lighting Design: David Goodman-Edberg, Sound Design: Hannah Foerschler, Costume Design: Dana Anderson, Props Design: Hillarie Shockley

Photos by Andrew Johnston