Idle Muse Theatre Company is proud to announce the cast and creative team for the launch of its 2025 - 2026 season, the world premiere of The Blood Countess, September 11 - October 11, by Idle Muse Resident Playwright and Literary Director Michael Dalberg and directed by Idle Muse Founding Member Tristan Brandon at The Edge Off-Broadway Theater, 1133 W Catalpa Ave. The performance schedule for The Blood Countess includes two preview performances Thursday, Sept. 11 and Friday, Sept. 12 at 8 p.m. Press night is Saturday, Sept. 13 at 8 p.m. The performance schedule is Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m., with a special performance on Wednesday, October 8 at 8 p.m. General admission tickets are now on sale for $30, $20, students and seniors at IdleMuse.org or the Idle Muse Theatre Company Box Office, 773.340.9438.
Join Idle Muse in the Carpathian Mountains to witness the story of the birth of legend as a Countess becomes a carnivore and a mother becomes a monster. The shadow of Erzsebet Bathory has endured for more than 400 years–but who is the Blood Countess and how did her story of infamy begin, grow and take on a life of its own? In a time when the constructed reputations of those in power can have more influence than reality, Idle Muse explores the truth behind the blood-soaked rumors.
The Blood Countess’s cast includes Laura Jones-Macknin~ (she/her, Erzsébet Báthory); Mara Kovacevic~ (she/her, Anna Darvulia); Xavier Lagunas~ (he/him, Pál Nádasdy); Raúl Alonso (he/him, János Újváry); Erik Schnitger~ (he/him, György Thurzó); Mak Van Raalte (they/she, Imre Thurzó); Jeff Broitman (he/him, István Magyari); Kristen Alesia (she/they, Dorotya); Hannah Eisendrath (they/she, Katarina); Jacque Bischoff~ (any with respect, Ilona); Sam Neel (he/him, Guard, u/s Thurzo); Derek Preston Ray (he/him, Guard, u/s Pál Nádasdy); Alex Hultman (they/them, u/s Katarina, u/s Dorotya); Madison Bacino (she/her, u/s Ilona); Ian Saderholm (he/him, u/s Imre, u/s Janos) and Maddie Wakley (she/her, u/s Darvulia).
Top row: (L to R) Laura Jones-Macknin; Mara Kovacevic; Xavier Lagunas; Raúl Alonso
Second row: (L to R) Erik Schnitger; Mak Van Raalte; Jeff Broitman; Kristen Alesia
Third row: (L to R) Hannah Eisendrath; Jacque Bischoff; Sam Neel; Derek Preston Ray
Fourth row: (L to R) Alex Hultman; Madison Bacino; Ian Saderholm; Maddie Wakley
The creative team includes Tristan Brandon~ (he/him, director, health and safety officer, props designer, scenic designer); Libby Beyreis~ (she/her, assistant director, violence designer); Lindsey Chidester~ (she/her, stage manager); Beth Bruins~ (she/her, assistant stage manager); Evan Jackson~ (he/him, artistic director); Kati Lechner~ (she/her, production manager, health and safety officer); Erin Alys (she/her, intimacy director); Emma Rund (she/her, dramaturg); Brendan Hutt~ (he/him, assistant violence designer); Jeremiah Barr (he/him, tech director); Laura J. Wiley~ (she/her, lighting & projection designer); L.J. Luthringer~ (he/him, sound designer and composer); Jennifer Mohr~ (she/her, costume designer); Katie Fletcher (she/her, assistant costume designer); Jacque Bischoff~ (any with respect, makeup designer); Breezy Snyder~ (she/they, scenic painter); Mara Kovacevic~ (she/her, house manager); Caty Gordon~ (she/her, marketing & social media) and Michael Dalberg~ (he/him, playwright).
ABOUT MICHAEL DALBERG, PLAYWRIGHT
Michael Dalberg is a Chicago-based actor, director and playwright. He is an ensemble member, resident playwright and literary director with Idle Muse Theatre Company, as well as inaugural ensemble member and co-literary manager with Theatre Above the Law. As a playwright, he adapted Idle Muse’s production The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (2022) and Theatre Above the Law audiences may recognize him as the playwright behind their annual fall production Grimm. When away from the stage, Dalberg enjoys shooting pool and is an enthusiastic Pokémon trainer.
ABOUT TRISTAN BRANDON, DIRECTOR
With Idle Muse Theatre Company, Tristan Brandon has directed Shakespeare’s R&J and The Tempest, acted in Bloody Poetry and has stage-managed, designed and meddled in/aided and abetted every Idle Muse Theatre Company production to date. Brandon has also worked with many of Chicago’s magnificent Fringe companies such as The Thirteenth Tribe, (re)Discover Theatre, The Utopian Theatre Asylum and is an ensemble member with Promethean Theatre.
ABOUT IDLE MUSE THEATRE COMPANY
Idle Muse Theatre Company’s mission is to produce theatre that is transporting, timely and true. The company was established in 2006 by theatre artists interested in exploring the relationship between individuals and the worlds they inhabit. Seeking to create production opportunities, they established a modern ‘guild’ of players and environment where theatre artists of different experiences and backgrounds could develop their craft. Today, IMTC remains focused on the following core values:
Transporting: We believe that great theatre removes both audience members and artists from their respective reality and transports them to another world.
Timely: We believe that human connection can be accomplished through meaningful, relevant, and accessible storytelling here and now.
True: We believe in unflinching honesty in the playing and storytelling.
In 2022, Idle Muse Theatre Company also began a profit share model with artists and team members for each production. In addition to any stipend or payment for services, a full 50% of all box office revenue is reserved and divided evenly among the cast and production team.
Idle Muse Theatre Company is proud to announce the cast and creative team for the launch of its 2025 - 2026 season, the world premiere of The Blood Countess, September 11 - October 11, by Idle Muse Resident Playwright and Literary Director Michael Dalberg and directed by Idle Muse Founding Member Tristan Brandon at The Edge Off-Broadway Theater, 1133 W Catalpa Ave. The performance schedule for The Blood Countess includes two preview performances Thursday, Sept. 11 and Friday, Sept. 12 at 8 p.m. Press night is Saturday, Sept. 13 at 8 p.m. The performance schedule is Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m., with a special performance on Wednesday, October 8 at 8 p.m. General admission tickets are now on sale for $30, $20, students and seniors at IdleMuse.org or the Idle Muse Theatre Company Box Office, 773.340.9438.
Idle Muse Theatre Company is partially supported and funded by generous grants from the Carol Oppenheim + Jerome Lamet Charitable Fund, the Illinois Arts Council and the Saints.
The Edge Theater Off-Broadway has paid street parking and is wheelchair accessible with complimentary assisted listening devices available. It is located near the Red Line Bryn Mawr stop and is on the 36 Broadway bus route.
Up Next From Idle Muse Theatre Company
The Three Musketeers
Written by Robert Kauzlaric
Adapted from the novel by Alexandre Dumas
Directed by Artistic Director Evan Jackson
March 26 - April 25, 2026
The Edge Off-Broadway Theater, 1133 W Catalpa Ave.
Previews: Thursday, March 26 at 8 p.m. and Friday, March 27 at 8 p.m.
Press Opening: Saturday, March 22 at 8 p.m.
Performance Schedule: Thursdays - Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. with an additional performance Wednesday, April 22 at 8 p.m.
Tickets now on sale: General Admission: $30; Students and Seniors: $20
IdleMuse.org or the Idle Muse Theatre Company box office, 773.340.9438.
Idle Muse celebrates 20 years of productions with The Three Musketeers. Based on Alexander Dumas’ celebrated 1844 novel, the Jeff Award-winning Robert Kauzlaric adapts the French tale of swashbuckling intrigue, adventure and fellowship as newly-minted musketeer D’Artagnan and the famous “three inseparables,” Athos, Porthos and Aramis take on the machinations of a scheming cardinal and his minions.