A small theater company moves into an abandoned Chicago storefront. Led by their adventurously thirsty artistic director, they embark on an explosive new play with the hope of finally breaking it big. When the ensemble realizes their source material might not be as original as once assumed, they are thrust into an intense confrontation with residents of their new community, who not only want them out, but will try to take their story back by any means necessary.

Performances will take place:
Thursday, Feb 26th at 7:30pm
Friday, Feb 27th at 7:30pm - There will be a talkback with the playwright, Ike Holter, after this performance.
Saturday, Feb 28th at 2:00pm Sunday, Mar 1st at 2:00pm

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This show contains discussions of police brutality, discussions of death, and depictions of violence.

Physical accessibility information can be found at Logan Theater West's information page.

Cast

Faron Livinus (Trevor) is a second year in the college, double majoring in Anthropology and Visual Arts. They enjoy working on student-made films, with roles ranging from acting to directing, playing rugby, and doodling on their homework assignments.

Emma Beane (Lana) is a third-year physics and English double-major. Her UT credits include Troilus and Cressida (Cressida) and The Tempest (Prospero), and she was a member of the acting ensemble in the TAPS Pro Show Happy Birthday Mars Rover. She is thrilled to be among incredible cast-mates and crew working to bring this play to life. Because she is biased, her favorite tyrant may be Prospero, especially when he’s wearing overalls (ifykyk). She is so grateful for her friends who help her run lines and her family who always support and encourage her.

Sam Shaver (Max) is a second-year Anthropology and Religious Studies major. This is their first UT production, though they have been doing theatre since the age of eight and making questionable theatrical decisions ever since. Some of their past roles include Grace (Mirrors), Lawyer (Tracks), Rona Lisa Peretti (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), and others. Many thanks to John, Malaina, and Kayln for insisting they audition. They hope you enjoy the show! Their favorite tyrant is Ivan the Terrible, they relate to his chronic paranoia.

Ryan Witter (Greg) is a third-year Linguistics, Gender and Sexuality Studies, and Middle Eastern Studies major. He has previously appeared in The Taming of the Shrew (Vincentio/Curtis) and Richard III (Clarence/York/Derby) and is excited to make his stage debut speaking like a modern person. He’s also worked on Troilus and Cressida (Director), As Y’all Like It (Co-Director), The Play That Goes Wrong (Props), and Arcadia (Asst. Props).

Gabriel Brumberg (Adam) is a fourth-year Fundamentals and TAPS double-major. Previous academic credits include: UT: Cactus Flower (Julian); TAPS Department: The Ballad of Oedipus (Oedipus); UT: Twelfth Night (Feste). Other credits include: Shakespeare Theatre Company: Noura (Yazen); Pallas Theater Collective: Assassins (Billy); Variations Theater Company: Capriccio Radio (Noah); Fire Escape Films: The Scottish Play (Leo); and several workshopped readings of new plays. His favorite tyrant is Cincinnatus, if he can be called a tyrant.

Smyrna Osae (Nicole) is a second-year Comparative Human Development Major on the pre-law track. This is her first UT show. She is thankful to Lucy for sharing the opportunity to be a part of Red Rex. Her favorite tyrant is Hades from Hadestown!

Melanie Zhang (Tori) is a third year majoring in TAPS, LLSO, and Comparative Literature. She acted in Happy Birthday Mars Rover this past fall, and she wants to thank you for coming to the show!

Production Staff

Lucy Whitehead (Director ) is a third-year TAPS and English Major. She is so excited for everyone to see the amazing work everyone has put into this wonderful production. She’s eternally grateful to the Red Rex cast and crew for putting their hearts and souls into her vision! She has previously worked on The Tempest (Co-Dir.), Arcadia (Asst. Dir.), After Hours (SM), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (ASM), The Ballad of Oedipus (ASM), and The Taming of the Shrew (APM). Her favorite tyrant is herself negotiating the rules of Uno.

Akil Leggett, Jr. (Dramaturg)

Daniel Olmo (Production Manager) is a fourth-year Computer Science major. He has previously worked on Troilus and Cressida (Asst. Production Manager) and 35MM: A Musical Exhibition (Asst. Production Manager). He’s so excited for you all to see how the hard work his team has put into the show translates into the performances! His favorite tyrant is TYRANT by Beyoncé!!

Linden Martin (Stage Manager) is a second-year linguistics and German major. Their previous credits include Pericles (Scenic Designer), Happy Birthday Mars Rover (Assistant Technical Director), The Tempest (Stage Manager), and Arcadia (Assistant Stage Manager). Outside of the theater, you can find them on the rugby field.

Elisa Gao (Scenic Designer) is a third-year Astrophysics and TAPS major. She designed costumes for Giselle (Ballet), As Y’all Like It, Coppélia (Ballet), 35MM: A Musical Exhibition, Sylvia (Ballet), Royal Flush, and Falsettos (Asst.). She worked on scenic design for The Tempest, Troilus and Cressida (Asst.), and Royal Flush. She performed as an ensemble member in the TAPS pro show Happy Birthday Mars Rover and On the Back of Before. She is also a dancer, stager, and Creative Director of UBallet.

Shanthal Ramos Bueno (Costume Designer) is a third-year RDI & sociology major. She has previously worked on If/then (Assistant Costume Designer), Cactus Flower (Co-Costume designer), and Our Town (Lead Costume Designer)! Her favorite tyrant is undoubtedly her mom #immigranthousehold

Jessica Washington (Co Props Designer ) is a fourth-year public policy and gender/sexuality studies major. She has previously worked on the If/Then (Assistant Props Designer) and The Tempest (Props Designer). She has been a designer for several Theater 24 shows and greatly enjoys being able to working with others to execute a fun and exciting collaboratively created show. Her favorite tyrant is Tyra Banks because the things she did to those women on Americas Next Top Model were certainly cruel and arguably unconstitutional.

Seth Wang (Co Props Designer) is a third year Anthropology and Gender Studies major. He has previously worked on As Y’all Like It (Co-Director), Troilus and Cressida (Props), The Play That Goes Wrong (Asst. Props), Arcadia (Asst. Props), and Much Ado About Nothing (Asst. Scenic).

Cami Delgado (Lighting Designer) is a third-year Astrophysics and Visual Arts major. Their previous UT credits include Taming of the Shrew (Assistant Lighting Designer), Richard III (Lighting Designer), The Play That Goes Wrong (Assistant Stage Manager), Much Ado About Nothing (Lighting Designer), Troilus and Cressida (Lighting Designer), and As Y’all Like It (Assistant Director/Dramaturg). One contender for their favorite tyrant is Emperor Norton, self-proclaimed Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico in the mid-19th century.

Remi Chin (Co Sound Designer) is a second-year MADD and Business Econ major. They have ASMed for If/Then with University Theater, and was Assistant Scenic and Sound of The Tempest, put on by Dean’s Men. This quarter, they’ve also Stage Managed for the UT Workshop, The Burden of Burials: Sophocles’ Antigone Reimagined. In support women’s rights and women’s wrongs, their favorite tyrant is Empress Dowager Cixi.

Josiah Rubio (Co Sound Designer) can often be spotted in places they have absolutely no business being. They’ve performed in a variety of shows in many roles, most notably co-directing The Tempest with Lucy (Spring, ‘25), and directing Pericles (like, last week, ‘26). their favorite tyrant is definitely not lucille aza whiteHead, as shE has been such a deLight and a Pleasant director to work with and not Scary at all beHind closEd doorS. she puts so much CARE and Sensitivity into her work and they could not be More proud to be hEr friend.

Evan Stuart (Assistant Director) is a first-year majoring in CMST or TAPS or something. They have previously worked on Our Town (Assistant Costumes) and are also on El Cepillo de Dientes (Costume Designer) this quarter.

Jasmine Li (Assistant Stage Manager) is a third-year Anthropology and (potentially) Linguistics major. She has previously worked on As Y’all Like It (Stage Manager), Cactus Flower (ASM), Troilus and Cressida (ASM), Strings Attached (APM), and Taming of the Shrew (ASM). Her chosen king/tyrant is the Great King Oikawa Tōru (as per request of a friend whose favorite Haikyuu!! character is Oikawa, and in celebration of her older sibling’s Oikawa fridge magnet).

G Rosen (Assistant Scenic Designer)

Anoushka Gehani (Assistant Costume Design) is a Master’s student studying Public Policy but wishes it was Theatre Production. She’s worked as Assistant Projectionist on Happy Birthday Mars Rover and is happy to be here.

Chenoah D (Assistant Lighting Designer) (Shey-Noah) is a 3rd year Linguistics major. This is her first time assisting with a theater production and is happy to be learning about lighting. Big shoutout to cami for their patience and guidance throughout the process!

Quentin Mills (Assistant Sound Designer)

Alasdair Dodd (Committee Liaison) is a fourth-year East Asian Languages & Civilizations and Religious Studies major. He has previously worked on Falsettos (Lighting Designer), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Stage Manager), The Arsonists (Lighting Designer), Troilus & Cressida (Co-Production Manager), The Tempest (Production Manager), As Y’all Like It (Production Manager), and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Lighting Designer). His favorite(?) tyrant is Oliver Cromwell.