Nonsense Productions presents |
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| by Christopher Marlowe | ||
| adapted by Shane Richlen | ||
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| CONTENT WARNING | ||
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| Flashing lights | ||
| Sudden loud noises including one whip crack | ||
| Staged violence | ||
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Discussions and depictions of self harm |
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A Synopsis of the Play is available at the end of the program
Sponsors
Cast
Creative Team
Gabriella Ashlin
Jeff Brain
Erin Dillon
Josh FItch
Bri Humke
Colin Kovarik
Kyle David Perry
George Petermeier
Shane RIchlen
Trisha Stigge
Carolyn Waldee
Meet the Company
Michael Bayler
Michael Bayler (he/him) is a Chicago based actor and theatre educator. Originally from Big Rock, IL, he has a BA in Theatre from the University of Missouri and an MFA in Acting from Indiana University. Recent credits: Stanley Kowalski in Streetcar Named Desire (GreenHouse Theatre Project). Recent Chicago credits: Jerry in Betrayal, and Tyler Rayburn in Light Up the Sky (Edge of the Wood Theatre). Sending a special thank you to Dad, Sarah, and Nessa!
Cameron Austin Brown
Cameron Brown (he/him) is a recent graduate of Oklahoma City University's School of Theatre. Some of his favorite past roles include Philinte in The School for Lies and Touchstone in Oklahoma Shakespeare’s As You Like It. He most recently was seen as Tommy Boatwright in Redtwist Theatre's The Normal Heart. He sends gratitude to Nonsense Productions and the Faustus cast and crew - it's been one hell of a time! Represented by TalentXAlexander. To see more visit www.cameronaustinbrown.com.
Erin Donohue
Erin Donohue (she/her) is a Chicago-based actor and director with a BFA in Acting from UC Santa Barbara. Her recent Chicago credits include OFF-WHITE: Or the Arab House Party Play (Katherine, Bramble Theatre) and KARMA (Stephanie, Foreign Productions). She was also seen portraying Henry in Henry V with the Prague Shakespeare company, as well as assistant directing Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein at Indiana Repertory Theater. She is forever grateful for her supportive friends and family!
Taylor Glowac
Taylor Glowac (He/Him) is a graduate of U.W. Parkside. Some of his past Chicago credits include: Love's Labour's Lost with Invictus Theatre Company, Dancing Plague with The Right Brain Project, and Folk Bound with Duplicity Ensemble. He was also featured in and wrote for the podcast, Auricle. Special thanks to his ever loving and supportive wife and family.
Robin Feltman
Robin (she/they) is incredibly excited to be ending a years long hiatus from the stage—while also making her Chicago debut!—with such a fun production. Favorite credits from her alma mater, UW-Parkside, include: Hedda Gabler (Thea Elvsted), The Last Days of Judas Iscariot (Fabiana Aziza Cunningham), and Reasons to be Pretty (Carly). Many thanks to Shane for the opportunity and to Taylor for the love and support.
Leah Huskey
Leah Huskey is a Chicago-based actor and comedian originally from Ashland, MO. She holds a BA in Theatre Performance from The University of Missouri and is a proud ensemble member of Nonsense Productions and GreatWorks Touring Company. Other Chicago credits include Malapert Love (Lorca U/S) at The Artistic Home and Richard III (Duchess of York) at Babes with Blades Theatre Co. She is represented by Actors Talent Group!
Jo Hoagland
Jo Hoagland (they/them) is an actor, director, and applied theatre artist thrilled to be making their Chicago debut! They hold a BFA in theatre performance from the University of Colorado Boulder. Favorite credits include Alls Well That Ends Well and Coriolanus (Colorado Shakespeare Festival), as well as the title roles in Macbeth and Gallathea (CU Boulder). Much love to their family for their steadfast support!
Devony Hof
Devony Hof is an actor and playwright based in Chicago. Favorite credits include Macbeth (Stone Soup Shakespeare), The Trojan Women (Powerhouse Theatre) and Proof (Northwestern University). Check out her website devonyhof.com
Meme Matteson
Meme Matteson (she/they) is a Chicago based actor, fight choreographer and theatre educator. Originally from Fraser, Colorado, their background is in Musical Theatre, which they have a degree in from Columbia College Chicago. Recent credits include We Should Kill Him by Deana Velandra, and The Point Theatre Project’s most recent Fight Night, Murder Mayhem. They have also appeared in Corn Productions shows for young audiences including PieTanic, and Schools Out! As always, a very special thank you to NL.
Andrew Seller
Andrew Seller is happy to be part of Faustus, and happy to be back in Chicago after a few years away. Previous credits include The Irish Curse at Wheat Ridge TC, Nightmares on Lincoln Ave 8 (at Corn!) , and midsummer mayhem. He is a graduate of The Academy at Black Box Acting and Drama Studio London. Thanks to his family.
Makenna Van Raalte
Makenna (she/they) is thrilled to be making her Nonsense debut! She is a writer and performer in the city, a recent graduate of Loyola University Chicago, and the founder of Essential Invisible Productions (@essentialinvisible), a new theatre company getting its start. They are a founding ensemble member of Municipal Hole Theatre Company and a Junior Board Member at Nothing Without A Company. Recent credits include The Tempest, Midsummer Mayhem, and Circles and Walls. Thanks to her family and friends for their unwavering support.
Aly Robinson
Aly is in this play. Originally from Milwaukee, some past credits include Sarah in Translations, Chloe in Arcadia, Ophelia in Twelve Ophelias, and a healthy amount of Shakespeare. A special thanks to Chris, Michael, Jon and Donna, and viewers like you."
Caroline Williamson
Caroline (she/her) holds a Bachelors degree in performance from NIU, certificate from the Lee Strasberg Institute in LA, and a Jerry Harper Service Award. She is excited to share this show with everyone and anyone! She's learned so much and is incredibly grateful for all the supportive people involved in this process. For E.M.
Theo Zucker
Theo Zucker (they/he/she) is a Chicago-based actor, writer, and all-around artist. They are a company member with Stone Soup Shakespeare, where they most recently appeared as Banquo and Macduff in a five-actor touring production of The Tragedy of Macbeth. Theo can also be heard as the voice of Eurydice in the audio drama Psychopompos: A New Mythology. His short story "Henry" was recently nominated by Hominum Journal for the 2025 Best of the Net Anthology. Theo holds a deep love for nature, and is happiest outside in the sun.
Gabriella Ashlin
Gabriella Ashlin (She/her) is a theatre artist currently active in the Chicago area. She is the artistic director of Nonsense Productions and directed the inaugural production of Reasons to Be Pretty in Milwaukee, and its second production, As You Like It, in Chicago. She has performed as an actor with Kohl's Wild Theater, Greatworks Theatre Company, Murder Mystery Co., Renaissance Theatreworks, Skylight Music Theatre, and Outskirts Theatre Company. She is an independent scenic artist, designer, and director. gabriellaashlin.com
Jeff Brain
Jeff Brain (Mask Design) is a Chicagoland-area designer and performer that is excited to work on another show with Nonsense. He was most recently seen in Nonsense's production of Bloodshot (Stage Directions / Additional Music). He has recently returned to Chicago after working with American Players Theatre (Spring Green, WI) and The Alley Theatre (Houston, TX). His most recent work has been seen at City Lit, and Redtwist Theatre, where he is also an ensemble member. Thanks for supporting live theatre!
Erin Dillon
Erin is an Intimacy Coordinator, Actor, and Lighting Designer based in Wisconsin. She is thrilled to be a part of another production for Nonsense Theatre Co, and is always honored to support a production curated by her professional, creative, and kind company members. She hopes you enjoy the show!
Josh FItch
Josh Fitch is a born and raised Nebraskan where he went to college at UNK where he got his BA with an emphasis in Tech Theatre. Josh is thrilled to be working with Nonsense Theatre and even more excited to help get Doctor Faustus from the page to the stage! Josh has worked with other theatres in Chicago such as The Gift Theatre, A Red Orchid Theatre, and Yellow Rose Theatre. Josh is proud of the hard work everyone has put into this show.
Bri Humke
Bri Humke is excited to make her stage managing Chicago debut here with Nonsense Productions. Bri has been stage managing for 4 years after graduating from UW-Parkside in 2020. Thank you to my friends and family for your support and love. Enjoy the show.
Colin Kovarik
Colin Kovarik (he/they) is a poet, actor, sound designer, musician, and organizer. After years of ricocheting around the Midwest he is finally getting his footing in the city of his birth. He’s delighted to be back with Nonsense after being part of its founding production in Milwaukee in 2019. Selected recent design work: The Agitators and We Will Not Be Silent (Acacia Theatre Co), Ghost Bike (MKE Rep), Mad, Beat, Hip, and Gone (Promethean Theatre Ensemble). Check out my podcast on the ongoing contemporary verse drama renaissance, “Hamlet to Hamilton: Exploring Verse Drama,” wherever you listen! Thanks for being here!
Kyle David Perry
Kyle David Perry (they/he/any) is a storyteller and theatre maker who is excited to be producing their third show (after last year’s As You Like It and this year’s staged reading of Bloodshot) before transitioning back into directing and performing. You can catch Kyle game managing various TTRPGs for friends, on stage, and coming up on their deep dive interview podcast Character Build. Character Build explores how the creation and performance of characters are connected to the human experience of change, and is available on all major podcast platforms. Kyle would like to thank this amazing cast and creative team for their inspiring commitment to this process.
George Petermeier
George Petermeier is primarily an actor and fight performer, though he’ll dabble in just about anything. He has previously worked with Nonsense in The Tabletop Stage: Leap of Fate and As You Like It, and is excited to be assistant director and fight designer for Faustus! Previous Chicago credits include The Swordswomen of San Gimignano at the Greenhouse, The Shaughraun for Storm Theatre, and Innogen for Forest Park Theatre. Thanks to Mom and Dad for letting him fight with toy lightsabers as a kid!
Shane RIchlen
Shane Richlen (He/Him; Director) is an actor, fight choreographer, teaching artist, and now, director! He is incredibly excited to be sharing Doctor Faustus with audiences in his first time directing here in Chicago. Previously he has been seen on stage with Babes With Blades, Idle Muse, Strawdog, Haven, First Folio, and several seasons with the touring children’s theatre company: GreatWorks. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin - Parkside where he performed in such shows as Macbeth, A Streetcar Named Desire, Angels in America, Don Juan, and The Last Days of Judas Iscariot. Shane is eternally grateful to every single person who worked tirelessly on this show with him. Shane is represented by Lily’s Talent Agency.
Trisha Stigge
Trisha Stigge (they/she) is a choreographer and dance educator, specialized in sustainable practices and intersectional techniques. They work as a dance teacher with the Niles Park District and Children’s Theatre of Elgin and Fox Valley Theatre Company. Mx Stigge is also a writer, currently working on their new dance play.
Carolyn Waldee
Carolyn Waldee is a Chicago-based actor, singer, text nerd, cellist, and cheesemonger. Previous credits include the titular role in Macbeth (Stone Soup Shakespeare), Orlando in As You Like It (Nonsense Productions), Stepan/Musician in Dying For It (The Artistic Home), and Lady Percy in Henry IV (Wheaton Shakespeare in the Parks). Since 2021 Carolyn has been an ensemble member at GreatWorks Theatre, performing several shows in repertory for young audiences across the Midwest and beyond. Doctor Faustus marks Carolyn's first venture behind the table as text coach and dramaturg -- immense gratitude to Shane, Kyle, and George for this opportunity and trust, and all the love to this wonderful cast whose creativity and commitment to the text has made this work such a tremendous joy.
Donors
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Contributors of $500+ Helen Goosby
Contributors of $100-$499 Mary Albamonte Gabriella Ashlin Jason Burrell Chris Davidson Riccarda Eickenberg Michael Fleischman Luis Antonio Flores Brent Mallinckrodt Matt O'Brien Kyle David Perry Elliott Puckette Shane RIchlen Kristen Schultes Anonymous Anonymous
Contributors of up to $99 Samantha Ashlin Deane Savannah Ashlin Spear Jonathan Baker Janel Balsavich Emma Jane Caldwell Andre Colin Erin Dillon Logan Doe Corrine M Dorrance Ahmad Ford Samantha Garcia Kimberly Giddens Caty Gordon Rebecca Gudis Bobbie Hard Ben Halder Joanne Hoch Caycelynn Hoggard Leah Huskey Reagan James Emma Kirst Kal Kalinski Lisa Kornetsky Colin Kovarik Marita Kovarik Jarrod Langwinski Julian Modugno Alex Moorman George Petermeier Lindsey Rick Megan Rivera Hunter Siegel Matt Stiglic Michaela Voit Carolyn Waldee Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous
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Special Thanks
Alex Albrecht
Babes with Blades Theatre Company
Carolyn Waldee
Chelsea Strebe
Cornservatory
Daily Special Comedy
Greatworks Theatre
Helen O'Brien
Liam Finn
The Long Room
Red Theatre
Redtwist Theatre Company
Steep Theatre Company
Thank you to the Nonsense Staff
Gabriella Ashlin - Artistic Director
Michael Fleischman - Treasurer
Leah Huskey - Marketing Manager
Kyle David Perry - Managing Director
Elliott Puckette - Literary Manager
Carolyn Waldee - Box Office Manager
Craig Ymson - Community Experience Manager
Play Synopsis
Mephistophilis explains that Faustus was low-born, but quickly achieved a doctorate in theology at the University of Wittenberg. However, his interest in learning and his pride soon led him to necromancy.
In the first scene, Faustus expresses his boredom and impatience with the various branches of knowledge and concludes that only magic is worth learning. He asks his servant Wagner to return with the magician, Valdes, who has been trying to interest him in magic for some time. While he waits, he is visited by a Good Angel, who tries to dissuade him from this path, and an Evil Angel, who encourages him. Valdes arrives and declares that if Faustus devotes himself to magic, great things are indeed possible with someone of Faustus's learning and intelligence.
While Faustus is at dinner with the magician, the Scholar notices Faustus's absence and asks Wagner about his whereabouts. When Wagner tells them he is with Valdes, the scholar worries that the magicians have corrupted him and leave to inform the rector of the university.
Faustus attempts to conjure a devil, and Mephistophilis arrives. Faustus believes that he has summoned him, but Mephistophilis says that he came of his own accord, and that he serves Lucifer, and cannot do anything without his leave. Faustus questions Mephistophilis about Lucifer and Hell, and tells him to speak to Lucifer and return. The next scene is a comedic reflection in which Wagner calls two devils, with which he scares the Clown into serving him.
Mephistophilis returns, and Faustus signs a contract in his own blood: Mephistophilis will serve him for 24 years, at which point Lucifer will claim him, body and soul. Once the contract is signed, Faustus asks for a wife. Mephistophilis says marriage is "but a ceremonial toy"; Faustus asks for books of knowledge, and Mephistophilis provides a single book.
Faustus begins to waver and think about God, and is visited again by the Good and Evil Angels. Lucifer arrives to remind him of his contract, and entertains him with a show of the Seven Deadly Sins. In the following comedic scene, Robin, a hostler, has stolen a conjuring book, and plans mischief with it.
Faustus and Mephistophilis then travel Europe, eventually arriving in Rome, where they play tricks on the Pope. The Pope holds Bruno prisoner, who was elected pope by the Holy Roman Emperor, against the acting Pope’s will. Faustus takes the place of a Cardinal in order to free Bruno. When the actual Cardinal arrives during the Pope’s dinner, the Pope has him arrested. Faustus then asks Mephistophilis to be invisible so that he can plague the Pope’s dinner with various thefts. He strikes the Pope, and the friar is called in to sing a dirge against the unseen spirit.
The second act. Robin and Dick, having been caught for stealing a goblet, call on Mephistophilis who arrives and angrily turns them into animals before returning to attend on Faustus. Faustus has been called to the court of the Holy Roman Emperor, where he and Mephistophilis conjure Alexander the Great and his paramour and give the knight, Benvolio, cuckold's horns for being a heckler. The emperor asks Faust to relent, and he does. Later, the knight and his friends attack Faustus, but Faustus rises again and sends devils after them. Faustus then plays tricks on a horse courser. Faustus and Mephistophilis then put on a magic show for the Duchess of Vanholt. During the visit, the various peasants Faustus has tricked over the years siege the Duchess’s home in order to confront Faustus, only for Faustus to enchant them and send them away.
When Faustus's 24 years are nearly up, he bequeaths his possessions to Wagner. He conjures Helen of Troy for his scholar, and, when he starts to think of repenting again, renews his pledge to Lucifer and asks Mephistophilis for Helen as his lover. In the final scene, Faustus admits to the scholar that he has bargained away his soul. Despite their prayers, the devils come for him.
