Court Theatre, under the continuing leadership of Charles Newell, Marilyn F. Vitale Artistic Director, and Executive Director Angel Ysaguirre, is pleased to announce the cast of their upcoming production of Owen McCafferty’s Titanic (Scenes from the British Wreck Commissioner’s Inquiry, 1912), directed by Vanessa Stalling.
Reflecting on the upcoming digital production, Charles Newell, Marilyn F. Vitale Artistic Director, shares, “The opportunity to host director Vanessa Stalling at Court again after her visionary production of Anna Ziegler’s Photograph 51 has been such a thrill for all of us at the theatre. Seeing her singular approach to bringing this epic courtroom drama to life has been inspiring, illustrating the powerful ways that technology can expand the boundaries of storytelling in exhilarating ways.”
A survivors’ story fraught with intrigue, bravery, and human frailty, Owen McCafferty’s Titanic (Scenes from the British Wreck Commissioner’s Inquiry, 1912) tells the story of the sinking of the RMS Titanic using verbatim testimonies from a court investigation of the wreck. The ensemble cast features performances by Ernest Bentley, Nate Burger, Ronald L. Conner, Alys Shante Dickerson, Xavier Edward King, Andy Nagraj, and Bri Sudia. The production team includes Vanessa Stalling (Director), Derek Matson (Dramaturg), Eva Breneman (Dialect Designer), Arnel Sancianco (Scenic Designer), Izumi Inaba (Costume Designer), Keith Parham (Lighting Designer), Mikhail Fiksel (Sound Designer), Zoe Lesser (Assistant Director), Erin Albrecht (Production Stage Manager), Nikki Konomos (Assistant Stage Manager), and Evan Williams (Dramaturgy Intern).
On-demand performances of Titanic (Scenes from the British Wreck Commissioner's Inquiry, 1912) will be available to stream starting June 14.
Up close:
TITANIC (SCENES FROM THE BRITISH WRECK COMMISSIONER'S INQUIRY, 1912)
by Owen McCafferty
Directed by Vanessa Stalling
Press access: June 14 - 20, 2021
Streaming: June 14 - July 11, 2021
Patrons will be able to stream this digital production on-demand from June 14 - July 11, 2021.
A survivors’ story fraught with intrigue, bravery, and human frailty, Owen McCafferty’s Titanic (Scenes from the British Wreck Commissioner’s Inquiry, 1912) tells the story of the sinking of the HMS Titanic using verbatim testimonies from a court investigation of the wreck. Presented in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, an ensemble of actors probes the causes of the catastrophe, the value systems that enabled it, and if indeed it was actually preventable. Vanessa Stalling (Jeff Award-winning director of Photograph 51 and United Flight 232) brings her singular artistry to McCafferty’s text to craft a lush aural experience that allows audiences to explore the tragedy from multiple perspectives. Leveraging audio technology, she and her team will create an expansive soundscape that allows the testimonies of each individual to resonate with audiences through a heightened, intimate experience that pushes the boundaries of design and theatrical performance.
About the Cast
Ernest Bentley (Swing) is excited to join the Chicago theater scene with Court Theater’s production of Titanic. A proud member of AEA, Ernest began his professional acting career at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis. Making three years a Chicago-resident this June, Ernest is looking forward to more opportunities in this rich theater community.
Nate Burger (Reginald Lee, John Hart, Joseph Ismay) makes his Court debut. Chicago credits: Romeo & Juliet, Love’s Labor’s Lost, The Heir Apparent, SS! A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Chicago Shakespeare); A Number, The Liar (Writers Theatre); Mansfield Park, Butler (Northlight Theatre); Wasteland, “Master Harold” ...and the Boys (Timeline Theatre); A Christmas Carol (Goodman Theatre). Regionally, he has worked with Asolo Rep, Forward Theater, and American Players Theatre, where he is a member of the Core Acting Company. TV: Chicago Fire, Chicago Med. He is a proud graduate of Loyola University Chicago and proud husband to Laura Rook.
Ronald L. Conner (W.D. Harbinson, Charles Lightoller, George Symons) was last seen in Court Theatre's production of King Hedley II (Jeff Award - Best Production). Ronald L. Conner has performed in 9 out of 10 plays in August Wilson’s Century Cycle. Other Court productions include: Seven Guitars, The Piano Lesson, and The First Breeze of Summer. Other Chicago credits include: Jitney, King Hedley II, and Small Oak Tree Runs Red (Congo Square Theatre, Ensemble Member); A View from the Bridge, Father Comes Home from the Wars, and SWEAT (Goodman Theatre); Pipeline (Victory Gardens Theater); SS! Twelfth Night (Chicago Shakespeare Theater); and Paradise Blue (TimeLine Theatre). Regional theatre credits include: The St. Louis Black Repertory Company, Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, Portland Stage Company, Olney Theatre, and Geva Theatre Center. Ron has a recurring role on Season 1 of Southside (HBO MAX). Other T.V. and Film credits: Chasing the Blues (Film), The Chi (Showtime), Empire (Fox), Sirens (USA), and Chicago P.D. and Chicago Med (NBC). Ron is represented by Paonessa Talent.
Alys Shante Dickerson (Commissioner) is an actor, artist, and musician from Indianapolis IN, by way of Chicago, Illinois. Alys holds a Masters in Acting, from Northern Illinois University and has studied at the Moscow Art Theatre graduate certificate program. This is Alys’ Court Theatre debut and Alys could not be more humbled to participate with this stellar ensemble. In 2020, Alys has moved her creative efforts around education, conversation, healing and change. Currently serving in education and building racial fluency/storytelling workshops with American Players Theatre in Spring Green, Wisconsin. Favorite roles played; Lady Macduff, Antigone, Lady in Green, The Jewish Wife.
Xavier Edward King (Clerk, Thomas Scanlon, Ernest Shackleton) is excited to work again with Court Theatre. He was last seen in Court's virtual production Theatre for One: Here We Are. He made his Chicago debut in Goodman Theatre's The Winter's Tale. Other regional credits include Dracula at Actors Theatre of Louisville and The Star at ACT. Classically trained, a few of his Shakespeare credits are The Tempest, Love's Labour's Lost, and Pericles at Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival, Hamlet and Midsummer Night's Dream at Shakespeare Festival St. Louis. At the Jones Playhouse in Seattle, he also performed in Incident at Vichy, 12 Ophelias and Angels in America pt. 2. TV credits include The New Edition Story.
Andy Nagraj (Attorney General, Charles Joughin) is excited to be making theatre again with Court, where he was previously in Harvey and Titus Andronicus. Other theatre includes work with Steppenwolf, Goodman, Chicago Children’s, Milwaukee Repertory, Denver Center, Chautauqua, Great Lakes, and many different Shakespeare festivals, among others. TV includes Chicago Fire (NBC), Proven Innocent (FOX), and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (CBS). Since 2019, Andy has provided the voice and motion-capture for Tony the Tiger. He makes music with The Winchesters and you can find their debut album, “Train & Taxi,” wherever you stream music. More at www.andynagraj.com.
Bri Sudia (Lady & Sir Gordon, Solicitor General) is a Chicago actor who has appeared at the Goodman Theatre (Wonderful Town, The Music Man), Timeline (A Shayna Maidel, Oslo) The Paramount (Sweeney Todd), Chicago Shakespeare, Northlight, Drury Lane, Porchlight, and regionally at Milwaukee Rep, Asolo Rep, and the Utah, Arkansas and Texas Shakespeare Festivals. Bri holds an MFA from the University of Illinois.
About the Production Team
Vanessa Stalling (Director) is thrilled to be back at Court where she last directed the award-winning production, Photograph 51. Other recent productions include Roe and The Wolves at The Goodman and The Great Leap at AsoloRep. Vanessa was also the 2016 Michael Maggio Directing Fellow, director and adaptor of the Jeff Award winning play United Flight 232, Associate Artistic Director of Redmoon Theater, on the Players 2018, 2019, and 2020 list of The Fifty People Who Really Perform for Chicago and is also the Area Head of Directing at UC San Diego's Department of Theatre and Dance.
Arnel Sancianco (Scenic Designer) is an award-winning set designer and currently is a professor of scenic design at Arizona State University. He has designed all around the United States. Credits include Photograph 51,The Belle of Amherst (Court); The Lifespan of a Fact (Repertory Theatre of St. Louis); A Doll’s House (Writer’s Theatre); The Color Purple (Drury Lane Theatre); Twelfth Night (American Players Theatre) Put Your House in Order (La Jolla Playhouse); Lottery Day (Goodman Theatre); Landladies, Into the Breeches (Northlight Theatre); The All Night Strut (Milwaukee Rep); Crumbs from the Table of Joy (Raven); Rhoda and the Fossil Hunt, Empower (Lyric Unlimited); Something Clean (Sideshow); The Cake (Rivendell); Master Class, Boy (Timeline); I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter, We Are Proud to Present, The Crucible (Steppenwolf); The Wiz, Little Fish (Kokandy); Wolf Play, Hangman, Pilgrims (The Gift); Hookman, Earthquakes in London (Steep); Peerless (First Floor); The Total Bent, The Displaced, How We Got On (Haven); You on The Moors Now (The Hypocrites); and Xanadu (American Theatre Co.)
Izumi Inaba (Costume Designer) is delighted to come back at Court and to work with Vanessa and her favorite collaborators. Previously at Court, she has designed Harvey after assisting her mentor Linda Roethke on The Good Book. Her recent projects, not limiting to costume designing, include 34th Young Playwright Festival (Pegasus Theatre), My H8 Letter to the Gr8 American Theatre (University of Chicago), 2021 WordPlay Gala (Writers Theatre), Yours Truly (Albany Park Theater Project), and Michael Merritt Summit Series (The Michael Merritt Awards). Adjunct lecturer at DePaul University. United Scenic Artists Local USA 829.
Keith Parham (Lighting Designer) Court credits: Oedipus Rex, Photograph 51, All My Sons, The Hard Problem, An Iliad, Angels in America, Proof, The Misanthrope, Tartuffe, M. Butterfly, The Good Book, Satchmo at the Waldorf, One Man, Two Guvnors, Man in the Ring, and Blues for an Alabama Sky. Broadway: Thérèse Raquin (Roundabout Theatre). Off-Broadway: Wild Goose Dreams (Public); Man from Nebraska (2econd Stage); The Purple Lights of Joppa Illinois (Atlantic Theater); Between Riverside and Crazy (2econd Stage/Atlantic Theater); Tribes, Mistakes Were Made, and Red Light Winter (Barrow Street); Stop the Virgens (Karen O at St. Ann’s Warehouse/Sydney Opera); Ivanov, Three Sisters (CSC); A Minister’s Wife (Lincoln Center); Adding Machine (Minetta Lane). Awards: Obie, Lortel.
Mikhail Fiksel (Sound Designer) is a Siberia-born designer, audio producer, composer, and DJ, currently based in Chicago and New York. Recent projects include productions with Goodman Theatre, The Public Theatre, Signature Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare, The Vineyard, Playwrights Horizons, La Jolla Playhouse, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Victory Gardens, Steppenwolf, Albany Park Theater Project, and original audio-plays with Audible Originals, WBEZ, and Make Believe Association. He is a recipient of 3 Lucille Lortel Awards, multiple Joseph Jefferson Awards, 3 Drama Desk Nominations and the 2020 Obie Award for Sound Design. He is a proud member of TSDCA and USA. Visit www.mikhailfiksel.com.
Eva Breneman (Dialect Designer) Court credits: The Mousetrap, The Adventures of Augie March, Photograph 51, The Belle of Amherst, The Hard Problem, One Man, Two Guvnors, The Good Book, M. Butterfly, Skylight, Angels in America, The First Breeze of Summer, Carousel. Recent Chicago credits: The Last Match (Writers); A Christmas Carol--An Audio Play, Roe (Goodman); Top Girls (Remy Bumppo); Rutherford & Sons, Oslo (Timeline). Regional credits: Six seasons at American Players Theatre; R&J: A Theatre Lila Invention (Theatre Lila); Things I Know to be True (Milwaukee Rep). Eva is an associate artist at TimeLine Theatre Company.
Derek Matson (Dramaturg) is a dramaturg and translator of theater and opera. His dramaturgy has included productions with Court Theatre (PHOTOGRAPH 51, THE MOUSETRAP), Steppenwolf (THE WHEEL), The House Theatre (UNITED FLIGHT 232), and American Theater Company (COLUMBINUS), among many others. Derek studied acting at the Cours Florent in Paris. His translations of French, Spanish, Italian, Russian, German, and Catalan have been featured at Lyric Opera of Chicago, Houston Grand Opera, Wolf Trap, and Cornell University, where he earned his M.A. in Performance Studies. Derek’s a former recipient of a Fulbright Assistantship to France and a Rotary Cultural Ambassadorial Scholarship to Russia.
Zoe Lesser (Assistant Director) is a director, producer, and choreographer. She has recently made work with The Neo-Futurists, Prop Thtr, Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, and Pride Arts Center. She was the LookOut Producing Apprentice for Steppenwolf Theatre Company’s 2019/20 season, facilitating multidisciplinary performance in the 1700 Theater. She is a Research Associate for the Chicago Dance History Project and a Tap Dancer, performing and teaching in studios, garages, backyards, dive bars, and street corners across the country. She is an ensemble member with The Exodus Ensemble, a new performance collective based in Santa Fe.
Erin Albrecht (Production Stage Manager) Previously at Court: Theatre for One: Here We Are; The Lady from the Sea; The Mousetrap; Oedipus Rex; King Hedley II; The Adventures of Augie March; For Colored Girls...; Photograph 51; Frankenstein; Radio Golf; The Originalist; All My Sons; The Belle of Amherst; Five Guys Named Moe; Harvey; Blues for an Alabama Sky; Man in the Ring; One Man, Two Guvnors; Long Day’s Journey Into Night; and others. Erin has worked Off-Broadway, regionally, and toured throughout Europe. She holds a Bachelor of Music from The Catholic University of America and a MFA in Stage Management from Virginia Tech. She’s an adjunct instructor of Stage Management at The Theatre School at DePaul University.
Nikki Konomos (Assistant Stage Manager) is a non-union stage manager. She graduated from Columbia College Chicago in 2019 and has since worked in the Chicago area with First Folio Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Roosevelt University, and now Court Theatre. She is thrilled to be a part of bringing the theatre to your homes with this amazing digital content.
Ticket Information
Tickets to stream Titanic (Scenes from the British Wreck Commissioner’s Inquiry, 1912) on demand are on sale now by calling the Court Theatre Box Office at (773) 753-4472, or by visiting CourtTheatre.org. On-demand streaming will only be available through July 11, 2021. Once you’ve started watching, you’ll have 72 hours to complete your stream.
Ticket Prices:
- 1 viewer under the age of 30: $20
- Regular Ticket (1 viewer): $35
- Regular Ticket (2+ viewers): $50
- Group discounts available of 10+
Titanic (Scenes from the British Wreck Commissioner's Inquiry, 1912) is sponsored by Gustavo "Chip" Bamberger and Martha Van Haitsma. Othello is sponsored by Michael Charles Litt. Programming is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency. Additional support is provided by Harper Court Arts Council, Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, Prince Charitable Trusts, and the Shubert Foundation.
COVID-19 Response
Court Theatre remains committed to following all government guidelines surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic in order to maintain the safety of our artists, staff, and patrons. To that end, dates and programming are subject to change based on rights acquisition, pandemic conditions, and other developments in order to remain responsive to evolving circumstances.
Court Theatre is the professional theatre of the University of Chicago, dedicated to innovation, inquiry, intellectual engagement, and community service. Court endeavors to make a lasting contribution to classic American theatre by expanding the canon of translations, adaptations, and classic texts. The theatre revives lost masterpieces; illuminates familiar texts; explores the African American theatrical canon; and discovers fresh, modern classics. Court engages and inspires its audience by providing artistically distinguished productions, audience enrichment activities, and student educational experiences. In all of this work, we are committed to recognizing, addressing, and eradicating racism, as we strive to better serve our South Side community.