Rotate Theatre

Indie Boots Theatre Festival celebrates collaboration and new short plays Monday, May 20th - Wednesday, May 22 at 7:30pm at Theater Wit (1229 W. Belmont in Chicago) with teams of directors and actors bringing life to world premiere scripts, all using this year's writing prompt, "Rebecca," in their titles. After a successful film festival last spring and another scheduled for May 9th of this year, two special programs last fall, and a logo contest this past winter, we are excited to bring more artists and audiences together through Indie Boots Theatre Festival.

2013 Finalists

All nine finalists will be performed each night.
Listing does not reflect running order.
Running time is approximately 85 minutes.
Balloted voting will determine the Audience Award Winner.
Theatre festival stage manager: Kat Reiser Kat Reiser's stage management experience includes, The Ruling Class (Goat Song Theatre), Beautiful Broken (Broken Nose Theatre) and Hobo Robo 5 (Hobo Junction) and assistant stage managed The Trestle at Pope Lick Creek, Beyond the Horizon (Eclipse Theatre), pool (no water), The Ghost is Here, (Vitalist Theatre), and Beauty of the Father (Urban Theatre Company).
For more info about the cast and crew, hover over the photos.

Rebecca Says Be Cool
Written by Spenser Davis . Directed by Crystal Hartford
Featuring: Don Baiocchi, Ashley Kobza, Dan Olson, and Rayanne Graff

Rebecca attempts to help Eric prep for his blind date with Nate, despite Eric's anxiety about all the things that could go terribly, terribly wrong.

Don Baiocchi is thrilled to be in Indie Boots Theatre Festival, having already worked with Mudgeonsoul Productions in the short film "What Happened to the Quiet Kids." He has appeared in plays and films, working with Pride Films & Plays and Pandemonium Theater Company, among others.	Ashley Kobza	Dan Olson received a B.F.A. in Acting from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Dan has since worked on numerous independent films. Stage credits include playing Mark in "RENT" at Dominican University as well as originating the role of Grover in "The Rock and the Ripe." Catch him online in the web-0series "Bass Solo!"	Crystal Hartford (Director) hails from Omaha, NE and attended Avila University in Kansas City, MO where she received her B.F.A in Theatre. Crystal participates in both theatre and film with Mudgeonsoul Productions, where she is an ensemble member. Crystal can also be found performing with the Chicago-based band The Dust Bunnies.	Spenser Davis (Playwright) is a founding company member of Broken Nose Theatre and the proud Artistic Director of Hobo Junction, Chicago's home for comedic new works. His plays have been produced at Second City Chicago, Chicago Dramatists, Collaboraction, Appetite Theatre, Mary-Arrchie Theatre Co., and other regional theaters across the country. His play Minimalistic Men was named one of "the Best Ten Minute Plays of 2012" by New York's Smith & Kraus, and he served on this year's Selection Jury for the national 31 Plays/31 Days competition.
Don Baiocchi	Ashley Kobza	Dan Olson	Crystal Hartford	Spenser Davis

Rebecca Back to Life
Written by Liz Siedt . Directed by Richard Paro
Featuring: Amy Crater, Kate Gerston, Cyra K. Polizzi

Things spiral comically out of control for three friends, all incredibly unskilled in conjuring people to and from death. No one seems to stay alive, or dead, for long... and everyone's getting hungry.

Amy has worked with the Mudgeonsoul Productions ensemble previously as part of the Indie Boots Film Festival Screening Committee as well as having acted in the play "Important Issues" and the short film "Tuesday Night Make Out." Other Chicago theatre roles include Redtwist Theatre's "The Pillowman," "Equus" and "Lobby Hero." Amy writes her own travel blog about day trips from Chicago using public transportation (https://chicagodaytripping.weebly.com).	Kate Gerston is an Arizona native, fresh out of Columbia College. Favorite roles include Sally in YAGMCB, and Mae in LaChiusa's The Wild Party. She is so excited to be working with Mudgeonsoul again!	Cyra K. Polizzi works full-time in theatre and film, is a Mudgeonsoul Productions ensemble member, and has worked with a variety of companies, including Full Voice, Stockyards Theatre, Hobo Junction, Bailiwick, Trip, Waltzing Mechanics, Commedia Beauregard, and Raven Theatre. Cyra graduated from UW-Madison in Theatre Acting, Gender Studies, and Environmental Studies. cyrakpolizzi.com	Richard Paro (Director) is an award winning director based in Chicago, where he can also be found acting and writing. He is the artistic director of Mudgeonsoul Productions and works with various companies around the city including Full Voice, Hobo Junction, Stockyards Theatre, Commedia Beauregard, and Theatre-Hikes. In addition, his films screen at film festivals around the world.	Liz Siedt (Playwright) is Development Director for Cold Basement Dramatics. Her plays have been produced with Cold Basement, WildClaw Theater, and GDProductions in Pennsylvania. She's a sketch and improv actor as well, part of the two-woman team, Little Man, who have performed all around Chicago and also one time in Alaska (no joke!). Little Man will next be performing at the Chicago Women's Funny Festival in June.
Amy Crater	Kate Gerston	Cyra K. Polizzi	Richard Paro	Liz Siedt

Snow White, who is also called Becky, no, Rebecca... and the Frog Prince
Written by Jack Helbig and Margaret Helbig . Directed by Ashely Bagot
Featuring: Cristiana Barbatelli, Bryan Campbell, Elizabeth Elston, Devon Ford, Lauren Hearter, Rory Leahy, Jennifer Kaesheimer

In this story about stories, and their passing from generation to generation, Dad and Daughter tell the tale of Rebecca, how she hooks up with a Prince, why they both get turned into frogs, and how they live happily ever after.

Cristiana Barbatelli is thrilled to work with the awesome folks in the Indie Boots Theatre Festival! This Milwaukee-born performer loves exploring new works on stage and film and has found great opportunities for both in Chicago. She's currently in rehearsal for MorBacon’s production of "Wyrd Sisters" opening in July. Vote for Snow White!	Bryan Campbell is a member of the Waltzing Mechanics. Bryan, who is also called Bryan, is a devoted family man who lives alone, unmarried, with no children to speak of. In a tragic turn of events, Bryan got lost somewhere in the middle of this bio and was never heard from again.	Elizabeth Elston is an actor and writer in Chicago, IL. Locally, she has performed with Theatre-Hikes and Emerald City. Elizabeth now serves as the Literary Manager for Hobo Junction, and studies improvisation at the Conservatory of Second City.		Lauren Hearter grew up mostly in Rochester, NY where she was a student at the Monroe Boces School of Performing Arts. She is a graduate of Second City's Conservatory, studied at I.O. Theater and has been performing all around Chicago for 7 years.	Rory Leahy has been an actor, playwright and director involved with the Chicago storefront scene for a solid decade now. He is also the founder of the American Demigods theatre company. If he had to do it all over again, he definitely would but he'd also probably get a business degree or something on the side. "Thanks to Ashely for casting me."	Jennifer Kaesheimer has been living and working in Chicago for almost three years now. She is a member of the improv company, One Group Mind, on the team Sinbad's Been Bad and has worked with numerous theatre companies such as Abraham Werewolf, Collaboraction, Beast Women and Her Story Theater. Jennifer is currently studying improvisation and writing at iO Chicago.	Ashely Bagot (Director)	Margaret Helbig (Co-Writer) is a 6th grader who likes gymnastics, horses, horseback riding, and dogs. Jack Helbig (Co-Writer) is a teacher and writer living in Chicago's western suburbs with his wife and daughter. He regularly writes for the Chicago Reader and has had plays and musicals produced in Chicago, IL; Anaheim, CA; St. Charles, IL; Orem, Utah; Sydney, Australia, and Hope, New Jersey.
Cristiana Barbatelli	Bryan Campbell	Elizabeth Elston	Devon Ford	Lauren Hearter	Rory Leahy	Jennifer Kaesheimer	Ashely Bagot	Jack Helbig and Margaret Helbig

Rebecca's Broken Less Than Sign Number Three
Written by Ron Burch . Directed by Josh Zagoren
Featuring: Hannah Alcorn, Dan Krall, Leslie Ruettiger and Breahan Eve Pautsch

As Rebecca facebooks with her friend Megan about the boy of her dreams meeting another girl, Rebecca is friended by enthusiastic liker Bill who attempts to mend her broken <3

Hannah is a Texas native and graduate of University of Houston's acting program and is now a Chicago based artist for film, stage and voice over. She thinks it has been a real treat to work with The New Colony, Factory Theatre, Prop Theatre and Hobo Junction. Big thanks to her puppy for being so dang cute all the time!	Dan Krall is excited to party with Indie Boots. "Thanks to Cyra and Rich for putting together such a cool fest." Dan is usually doing random silly things around town with his friends and sometimes enemies {suck it, Josh}. He will work for hugs and gifs of fat Pugs and/or French Bulldogs.	Leslie Ruettiger is a graduate of Millikin University with a double major in Acting and Spanish. Leslie is a company member with Broken Nose Theatre and directs children's theatre with Studio BE Youth Revolution. Leslie has also performed with The State Theatre, Redmoon Theater, and Polarity Ensemble.	Breahan Eve Pautsch is a director, actor and writer based in Chicago. She is a Mudgeonsoul Productions ensemble member and an Akvavit Theatre company member. She's also worked with Hobo Junction, Corn, Speaking Ring, Halcyon, Theatre Entropy, North Lakeside Players and Scriptworks. Breahan graduated with a BA in Theatre from UW-Madison.	Josh Zagoren (Director) is a writer, actor and director in the city of Chicago. For realz. By day he makes stupid voices for the radio and by night he makes homemade pizzas. And then by Saturday he plays his alter-ego Chad the Bird in THE PAPER MACHETE at Chicago's very own historic Green Mill. Also he likes you, especially if you're not a jerk or if you like to talk about stuff.	Ron Burch (Playwright) lives in Los Angeles, where he works as a screenwriter. Over the past year, his plays have been produced in the UK, Seoul, New York City, Los Angeles, and many other cities. Ron's flash-fiction collection, MENAGERIE, will be published by Aqueous Books in 2014. Visit www.ronburch.net or https://lifesbitchslap.blogspot.com/.
Hannah Alcorn	Dan Krall	Leslie Ruettiger	Breahan Eve Pautsch	Josh Zagoren	Ron Burch

Rebecca on the Bus
Written by Jennie Webb . Directed by Bradley Baker
Featuring: Miki Byrne, Amy Johnson, Reilly Nelson

Lynne and Jane wait for the perpetually late Rebecca, hoping for one of her fabulous excuses. Unfortunately, her terrible night on the bus doesn't make for an easy chat over coffee. Despite Jane's blase attitude, Lynne thinks there must be another way to move through the absurd reality of their lives.

Miki Byrne holds a BA in Opera/Vocal Performance from Loyola University New Orleans. Now a local Chicagoland actress, Miki was last seen in Alphabet's Soup Children's Theatre production of Alice in Wonderland, as well as a table reading of "pr0ne," a new musical presented by Underscore Theatre. You can catch Miki this October starring in a world premiere vampire musical in Des Plaines, "Etude: A Love Story!"	Amy Johnson has been a Chicago actress for several years working in film and theatre including local companies like the Ex-Pats, Pine Box Theatre, Theatre-Hikes (company member), ATC, Steep Theatre, the side project (company member), and Historical Perspectives for Children. She's looking forward to this Indie Boots Festival and meeting some new faces. www.amyjeanjohnson.com	Reilly Nelson is very good at acting! And she's psyched to be sharing the stage with the many talented performers at Indie Boots... and Reilly knows Indie. In 2006, she loved bands like Stars and Of Montreal. Currently, she's seen wearing neon and raving to Euro-centric EDM. Reilly hopes you enjoy all the shows, but mostly hers.	Bradley Baker (Director) is thrilled to be working with Indie Boots on this Festival. As artistic director of Theatre-Hikes he has directed many productions including The Hobbit, Jekyll and Hyde, Key Exchange and The Hound of the Baskervilles. He's been seen onstage in many Theatre-Hikes' productions as well as other theatre's in Chicago, California and New York. He would like to thank Matthew for being his rock and this wonderful cast as well as Richard for giving him this chance.	Jennie Webb (Playwright) is an independent Los Angeles playwright, currently in residence at Rogue Machine Theatre and Theatricum Botanicum. Produced nationwide and internationally; published by Heinemann Press and ICWP; member of The Playwrights Union, EST-LA's Playwrights Unit, Fell Swoop Playwrights and co-founder of the LA Female Playwrights Initiative (LA FPI).
Miki Byrne	Amy Johnson	Reilly Nelson	Bradley Baker	Jennie Webb

Rebecca's Laugh
Written by Ian Fines . Directed by Cyra K. Polizzi
Featuring: Joshua Harris, Richard Paro, Breahan Eve Pautsch, Jamie Smith, and Laura Elleseg
Prop Assistance: Jessica Dexter

Alone in a bar, Rebecca decides to invite Joe to sit with her. After all, she likes his laugh. She also likes Richard's laugh. And Gustav's laugh...

Joshua is pleased to join REBECCA'S LAUGH. Last seen in A SUMMER'S DAY (Asle) with Akvavit Theatre, he'll next appear in HAMMER (Judd) with The Right Brain Project. Thanks to Indie Boots for this chance to play, and you, for helping art thrive. "Let's learn more with every new endeavor."	Richard Paro is an award winning director based in Chicago, where he can also be found acting and writing. He is the artistic director of Mudgeonsoul Productions and works with various companies around the city including Full Voice, Hobo Junction, Stockyards Theatre, Commedia Beauregard, and Theatre-Hikes. In addition, his films screen at film festivals around the world.	Breahan Eve Pautsch is a director, actor and writer based in Chicago. She is a Mudgeonsoul Productions ensemble member and an Akvavit Theatre company member. She's also worked with Hobo Junction, Corn, Speaking Ring, Halcyon, Theatre Entropy, North Lakeside Players and Scriptworks. Breahan graduated with a BA in Theatre from UW-Madison.	Jamie Smith is an ensemble member of Corn Productions and Pride Films and Plays. He can often be seen with his alter ego, Pussy Huxtable, or trying to raise money to open up a theater in New Orleans.	Laura Elleseg is a Chicago based, Milwaukee raised actor and teaching artist who occasionally directs. Laura graduated from The CCPA at Roosevelt University with a BFA in acting and has since worked with companies including Abraham Werewolf, Redmoon, Suffigance Shakespeare, Spartan Theater, First Stage, and Her Story Theater.	Cyra K. Polizzi (Director) works full-time in theatre and film, is a Mudgeonsoul Productions ensemble member, and has worked with a variety of companies, including Full Voice, Stockyards Theatre, Hobo Junction, Bailiwick, Trip, Waltzing Mechanics, Commedia Beauregard, and Raven Theatre. Cyra graduated from UW-Madison in Theatre Acting, Gender Studies, and Environmental Studies. cyrakpolizzi.com	Ian Fines (Playwright) lives in Columbus, OH, where people take football much too seriously. In the past month, He's been a bike mechanic, a bowling alley mechanic, and a heating and cooling installer. Next month, he hopes to be a playwright.	Jessica Dexter (Prop Assistance) may be best described as a freelance first responder for performance-related emergencies, a title she earned through her years in a traveling trash-to-art performance and puppetry troupe. Additionally, Jessica has designed and constructed costumes and sets for full-scale productions, rigged lighting, built all manner of performance-related contraptions, managed the business end and birthed countless puppet creatures in community workshops. She acts, she sings, she dances, she walks on stilts, she spins fire.
Joshua Harris	Richard Paro	Breahan Eve Pautsch	Jamie Smith	Laura Elleseg	Cyra K. Polizzi	Ian Fines	Jessica Dexter

Rebecca and Larry Get Stuck in Traffic
Written by Michelle Meyers . Directed by Alexander St. John
Featuring: Jill Harman, Michael Sandoval, Raphael Schwartzman

Rebecca and Larry must confront the circuity of both past and present when they get stuck in traffic with their talking dog.

	Michael Sandoval is a writer and improviser in Chicago. Like most Michiganders, Michael flocked to the biggest city he could find that wasn't Detroit. Michael has worked with Gorilla Tango Theater, Corn Productions, and Mental Notion Society since showing up here 3 years ago. Mike likes baseball.	Raphael Schwartzman is a Chicago-based theatre and film artist. Previous credits include Ensemble in After the Quake (State Theatre), Mime in Things to Come (School of the Art Institute), and Woyzeck in Woyzeck: Fragments in Solitude (Teatro CENIT). Raphael will perform this summer in The Three Musketeers with Theatre-Hikes.	Alexander St. John (Director) directs, acts, and sound designs around Chicago. He is an Artistic Associate of Pride Films & Plays and an Artist-in-Residence with Halcyon Theatre. Most recently, he sound designed the Jeff-nominated Under A Rainbow Flag. He hails from the east coast where he studied theatre at Bennington College.	Michelle Meyers (Playwright) is a playwright and fiction writer from Los Angeles. Her plays have been developed and/or produced in New York City, Providence, Los Angeles, the Berkshires, and Nova Scotia. Michelle is also a recipient of the Weston Award for Playwriting from Brown University.
Jill Harman	Michael Sandoval	Raphael Schwartzman	Alexander St. John	Michelle Meyers

Rebecca's Roommate
Written by Amanda Petefish-Schrag . Directed by Brandon Little
Featuring: Natalie Carneal, Brandon Little, Declan Murphy

When Rebecca suddenly returns home after a long absence, her significant other has a few questions: Why did she leave? Where did she go? And why is there a sasquatch in the living room?

Natalie Carneal is from the DC area and has a degree in Theatre and Dance. She's a graduate of iO and is currently in The Second City Conservatory Program. PUMPED to be involved with Indie Boots and SUPER STOKED to be part of Chicago Women's Funny Festival this year as a solo performer! You can check her out in the comedy web series 'Muckrackers' at DistractChicago.com.	Declan Murphy moved to Chicago from his home on Mount Desert Island, Maine in the post-summery heat of last year. Currently, Declan writes, studies and improvises with the Annoyance Theatre and is an intern/student at iO (formerly ImprovOlympic).	Brandon Little (Director) is thrilled to be directing and performing with Indie Boots! His past directing credits include Awkward Turtling and 10 Things I Facebook Like About You with Wishbone Theatre Collective. He has also been seen onstage with Hobo Junction, Collaboraction, Provision Theatre Company, Stage Left, and Chicago Fusion Theatre. He enjoys gummi bears.	Amanda Petefish-Schrag's (Playwright) professional credits include work as a director, playwright, and puppeteer. She currently serves as an Associate Professor of Theatre Performance at Northwest Missouri State University where she teaches courses in acting, playwriting, and theatre history. She is the recipient of a Kennedy Center National Teaching Artist Grant.
Natalie Carneal	Declan Murphy	Brandon Little	Amanda Petefish-Schrag

Rebecca-Crazy
Written by Kristin P. . Directed by Breahan Eve Pautsch
Featuring: Laura Elleseg, Cyra K. Polizzi

Rebecca has high hopes for a night out dancing with Samantha, but when they show up way too early in the evening, they find themselves on a park bench instead of in a gay bar.

Laura Elleseg is a Chicago based, Milwaukee raised actor and teaching artist who occasionally directs. Laura graduated from The CCPA at Roosevelt University with a BFA in acting and has since worked with companies including Abraham Werewolf, Redmoon, Suffigance Shakespeare, Spartan Theater, First Stage, and Her Story Theater.	Cyra K. Polizzi works full-time in theatre and film, is a Mudgeonsoul Productions ensemble member, and has worked with a variety of companies, including Full Voice, Stockyards Theatre, Hobo Junction, Bailiwick, Trip, Waltzing Mechanics, Commedia Beauregard, and Raven Theatre. Cyra graduated from UW-Madison in Theatre Acting, Gender Studies, and Environmental Studies. cyrakpolizzi.com	Breahan Eve Pautsch (Director) is a director, actor and writer based in Chicago. She is a Mudgeonsoul Productions ensemble member and an Akvavit Theatre company member. She's also worked with Hobo Junction, Corn, Speaking Ring, Halcyon, Theatre Entropy, North Lakeside Players and Scriptworks. Breahan graduated with a BA in Theatre from UW-Madison.	Kristin P. (Playwright) is credited with short and full length, feminist and queer theatre pieces, many of them workshopped in Chicago with Stockyards Theatre Project and further developed by Full Voice.
Laura Elleseg	Cyra K. Polizzi	Breahan Eve Pautsch	Kristin P.