Join us for this quarter's Short Play Showcase! Every fall and winter quarter, we produce one or more short plays, often student-written. These shows are a great opportunity to get involved at a lower level of commitment. If you're interested in being a part of a future short play, subscribe to the UT General Listhost.

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

The Burden of Burial

Sophocles' Antigone Reimagined
By Courtney Pine

Sophocles' Antigone transformed into a musical: The Burden of Burial. Antigone is an Ancient Greek play about a young woman who decides to bury her brother, going against King Creon's decree to do what she believes is right. The driving question is “how does the concept of kinship and familial duty drive individual actions under a feminist lens?” Themes include family, sisterhood, rebellion, and the juxtaposition between pride (King Creon’s desire to maintain an appearance of strength) and duty (Antigone’s need to protect her brothers even after death).

No content warnings or show-specific accessibility information have been uploaded for this show. For more information, please contact UT Committee.

Cast

Ash Kim (Antigone) is a first year Chemistry major, thinking of adding TAPS and Music to the mix! This is their first time in an actual production of UT, and they’re honored to be casted. Previously, they’ve directed and acted in Theater [24], as well as directed a staged reading. They’re also a member of one of UChicago’s a cappella groups, Voices in Your Head, where they sing tenor! Other previous experience includes a cappella in high school as well as The Prom (Emma Nolan), Arsenic and Old Lace (Martha Brewster), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Lysander), and more. They give their greatest thanks to the cast, crew, designers, and staff, and their friends for forever supporting them and coming to all of their performances.❤️❤️

Millie Walsh (Ismene) is a second year Biochem major. She is very excited to be returning to UT after performing in Our Town last quarter as well as If/Then and 35mm last year! Her favorite characters from greek mythology are cupid and psyche (even though most people call them by their roman names).

Patrick Gaghan (Creon) is a first year physics major. In recent years, he has been a part of a few musicals, including Pippin (Pippin), Urinetown (Bobby Strong), and Into the Woods (Jack). He is very thankful for the whole production team for putting this show together and has been shaking at the boots to get on stage and perform it. Also his favorite character from Greek mythology is Percy Jackson, son of Poseidon, savior of New York City.

Ariadne Merchant (Tiresias, Guard, Messenger) is a third year Linguistics and Psychology major. In UT, she has previously played Jason in the musical “Falsettos”, and Joe and Si in the play “Our Town”. Her favorite figure from Greek mythology would definitely not be Theseus (for reasons that should be obvious because her name is Ariadne); her favorite figure is Demeter because without her there would be no change of seasons and Ariadne absolutely adores when summer becomes autumn (her favorite season).

Julian Iverson (Haemon) is a second-year Economics major. This is his first show with UT, but he also loved being in The Sound of Music (Captain Von Trapp), Mamma Mia! (Ensemble), and Les Miserables (Ensemble), among others. Aside from theatre, Julian also sings in Run for Cover, a popular a cappella group on campus, and in church. He also enjoys spending his time running, exploring Chicago, and hanging out with friends. As an oldest child who calls the East Coast home, Julian’s favorite character from Greek mythology, is only naturally, Poseidon.

Production Staff

Courtney Pine (Writer/Director) is a third-year Chemistry major and Classics minor on the premed track. Her classical studies coursework inspired her to transform Sophocles’ renowned ancient play into a musical, crafting lyrics and melodies inspired by Heaney’s adaptation of the classic. She has previously performed in three Theater24 performances for UT. Past favorite leading performances include Mamma Mia (Donna) and Radium Girls (Grace). Her favorite character from Greek mythology has been Hera ever since she played her in her school’s 4th grade Greek Play!

Genevieve Evans (Vocal Director) is a fourth year Creative Writing major, Cognitive Science minor. Previous UT credits include “If/Then” (Vocal Director), “Our Town” (Mrs. Gibbs), “Strings Attached” (Violin II, Pit Band), and “Weekend of Workshops: The Queen of Spades” (Tomsky). She has also participated avidly in many Theater24 shows. Her favorite Greek Myth is Theseus and Pirithous in the Underworld.

Emilio Del Angel (Music Director, Arranger, Piano Accompanist) is a third year undergrad. This is his first foray in the theater world, and he is so excited for you all to see the show. He first started learning the piano when he was 5-ish years olds, and since then has been honing his skills and arranging covers for pop songs on his YouTube channel, @theobbligatos. Aside from piano, he also plays the carillon, also known as tower bells. His favorite character from Greek mythology is Hermes, for many reasons.

Remi Chin (Stage Manager) is a second-year MADD and Business Econ major. They had previously Assistant Stage Managed for UT musical If/Then, and was Assistant Sound and Scenic for Dean’s Men’s The Tempest. They are also currently Co-Sound in Red Rex in UT. Their favorite Greek Mythos character is Cerberus, though Bouldy has recently become a close contender (Sisyphus’ rock in the Hades game).

Sara Romai (Production Manager) is a third-year Political Science and Economics major. In UT she has previously worked on Much Ado About Nothing (Asst. Production Manager), If/Then (Asst. Stage Manager), Cactus Flower (Stage Manager), We’re Live (Production Manager) and As Y’all Like It (Adam/Corin). Her favorite character from greek mythology is Athena!

Charlie Carden (Props/Scenic Designer) is a first year Psychology and TAPS major. This is their second UT show. They were Assistant Stage Manager for Our Town during fall quarter. Outside of UT, their theater experience includes Mamma Mia (Stage Manager), Our Place (Stage Manager), Legally Blonde (Assistant Stage Manager), Keepers at the Edge of the Sea (Director), and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (Stage Manager). Their favorite Greek mythology character is probably Orpheus or Dionysus.

Maya Miller (Costumes) is a second-year Cognitive Science major. She has been involved in The Arsonists (Assistant Stage Manager), Cactus Flow (Production Manager), and Our Town (Production Manager). One of her favorite character from Greek Mythology is Aphrodite and she is so excited to see this show come together!

Lydia Gafford (Lighting Designer) is a third year History and Art History double major. Her UChicago credits include Our Town (lighting designer), El Cepillo de Dientes (lighting designer), the LVV Spring Showcase (lighting designer), 35mm (lighting designer), If/Then (lighting assistant), Maya Dance Winter Showcase 2025 (lighting programmer), Royal Flush (lighting designer), Oedipus (lightboard operator), and Maya Dance Winter Showcase 2024 (lighting designer). She is a lighting technician for the Logan Center and a researcher for the Craft Chronicle. Her favorite character from Greek mythology is Geryon, which is mostly a testament to her love of Anne Carson.

Jack Zirin-Hyman (Sound Designer) is a first-year Mathematics and Music major. This is his second show with UT, previously having worked on As Y’all Like It (Assistant Sound Designer). His favorite mythological character is Dionysus!

Zoe Zhu (Assistant Lighting Designer) is a fourth-year Philosophy and Economics major. This is her first time working on a UT production and she can’t wait to press the appropriate button(s) at the appropriate time(s). Her favourite figure from Greek history is Sappho!

Eva Schultz (Committee Liaison) is a third year Astrophysics and Visual Arts double major. They serve as a member of UT Committee as the Tech Staff Liaison, and work in the wood shop in the Logan Center. Her UT credits include Falsettos (Scenic Designer), Midsummer Night’s Dream (Scenic/Lighting Designer), Theater[24] (Designer), Weekend of Workshops (Director, Writer, Actor, Scenic Designer), Staged Readings (Director, Writer), If/Then (Scenic Designer).

El Cepillo de Dientes

By José Díaz

El Cepillo de Dientes is a 1960’s Chilean play that navigates the middle class’s futile search for meaning in marriage with an absurdist lens. From bizarre fantasy games to exaggerated conflict over the simplest objects, this play is a whirlwind of humor and sharp criticism of gender roles, routine, power, and relationships. The text has been translated into English but will maintain Latin American cultural elements.

No content warnings or show-specific accessibility information have been uploaded for this show. For more information, please contact UT Committee.

Cast

Genevieve Robinson (She) is a second-year Chemistry major. She has previously worked on Our Town (Stage Manager and Assistant Director) at UT Fall 2025 and 35 MM: A Musical Exhibition (Assistant Stage Manager) at UT Spring 2025. She has previous experience on shows such as Romeo and Juliet (Actor), A Midsummer’s Night Dream (Actor), Shrek (Actor), Much Ado About Nothing (Stage Manager), and Pandora’s Box (Stage Manager). Her murder weapon of choice would be a lightsaber.

Greg Bound (He) is a second year Bio (and maybe) medieval studies major. This is first show with UT, and he’s super excited for it! His preferred murder weapon is either a gallon of milk or a dwarven dorn dergar.

Production Staff

Senna Schultz (Director) is a second-year Molecular Engineering major. She hasn’t worked with UT in the past, and is using SPS as an opportunity to dive right in. Her murder weapon of choice is a vending machine.

Doris Zhao (Stage Manager) is a second-year Econ major. This is her first year in UT, and her murder weapon of choice is ice!

Maggie Banks (Production Manager) is a second-year MENG major. Her UT credits include Our Town (Mrs. Webb), If/Then (Chorus), and Royal Flush (Cassie). Outside of UT, her past credits include such iconic roles as a door (A Tale of Two Cities). Her murder weapon of choice would be boredom, through a very long conversation about video game music with unusual time signatures.

Maya Miller (Scenic/Props Designer) is a second-year Cognitive Science major. She has been involved in The Arsonists (Assistant Stage Manager), Cactus Flow (Production Manager), and Our Town (Production Manager).

Evan Stuart (Costume Designer) is a first-year majoring in something Arts & Humanities related. He worked on Our Town (Assistant Costumes) last quarter. His murder weapon of choice is a scone.

Lydia Gafford (Lighting Designer) is a third year History and Art History double major. Her UChicago credits Our Town (lighting designer), the LVV Spring Showcase (lighting designer), 35mm (lighting designer), If/Then (lighting assistant), Maya Dance Winter Showcase 2025 (lighting programmer), Royal Flush (lighting designer), Oedipus (lightboard operator), and Maya Dance Winter Showcase 2024 (lighting designer). She is a lighting technician for the Logan Center and a researcher for the Craft Chronicle. Her murder weapon of choice is prayer.

Jack Zirin-Hyman (Sound Designer) is a first-year Mathematics and Music major. This is his second show with UT, previously having worked on As Y’all Like It (Assistant Sound Designer).

Griffin Halstead (Assistant Stage Manager) is a first-year Political Science major. This is his first UT show, but he has previously worked on Urinetown (Stage Manager), Midsummer Jersey (Deck Stage Manager / Fight Captain), Madagascar (Assistant Stage Manager / Electrics), Something Rotten (Stage Manager), and Blue Stockings (Deck Stage Manager). He would like to thank Senna, Genevieve, Greg, and the entire production team for being an amazing group to work with! His murder weapon of choice is the FXK fire safety protocol.

Zoe Zhu (Assistant Lighting Designer) is a fourth-year Philosophy and Economics major. This is her first time working on a UT production and she can’t wait to press the appropriate button(s) at the appropriate time(s). Her favourite figure from Greek history is Sappho!

Eva Schultz (Committee Liaison) is a third year Astrophysics and Visual Arts double major. They serve as a member of UT Committee as the Tech Staff Liaison, and work in the wood shop in the Logan Center. Her UT credits include Falsettos (Scenic Designer), Midsummer Night’s Dream (Scenic/Lighting Designer), Theater[24] (Designer), Weekend of Workshops (Director, Writer, Actor, Scenic Designer), Staged Readings (Director, Writer), If/Then (Scenic Designer).