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Northwestern University’s
Virginia Wadsworth Wirtz Center for the Performing and Media Arts 
proudly presents

THE RIVER BRIDE

By Marisela Treviño Orta
Directed by Miranda González

July 31 – Aug 2, 2026

THE RIVER BRIDE was developed in residency with AlterTheater Ensemble, San Rafael, California. World premiere produced by Oregon Shakespeare Festival with Artistic Director Bill Rauch & Executive Director Cynthia Rider

THE RIVER BRIDE is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc.

www.concordtheatricals.com

LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT

We are on sacred ground. Northwestern University is on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires—the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa—as well as the Menominee, Miami, and Ho-Chunk nations. Before it was stolen from them through colonization and forced removal, this land was a site of trade, travel, gathering, and healing for more than a dozen other native tribes. The state of Illinois is still home to more than 100,000 tribal members. In the spirit of healing and making amends for the harm that was done, we acknowledge the native and indigenous peoples who called this land home. We pledge ourselves as members of the Northwestern School of Communication to turn our statements into action and build better relationships with native and indigenous communities in Evanston, in Chicago, and throughout the region.

DIRECTOR’S NOTE

I believe in the power of storytelling. Stories are how we pass down who we are and how we make sense of the things we can’t explain. But a story only matters if people can reach it. Our stories are meant to be shared, and sharing them with you is at the heart of why I continue to be a storyteller.

The River Bride is the perfect story for this MFA cohort. Marisela Treviño Orta has written a fairy tale that asks its actors to hold love and regret in the same breath, and it has been a beautiful thing to watch these actors bring her characters to life with such nuance and truth. What an honor, what a privilege. I am extremely lucky. They dove into the river without hesitation, and every rehearsal reminded me why I love this work.

I love directing in a university setting. It gives me the chance to play, to experiment with my own process, and to ask questions I don’t have answers to yet, alongside artists who are still discovering what kind of storytellers they want to be. With MFA programs shutting down across the country, I’m grateful that Northwestern has chosen to invest in its graduate program and in established directors like myself. In an industry that often forgets mid-career female directors, Northwestern made room for this artist and mother of three.

Thank you to Sandra Marquez and Tanya Palmer for trusting me to dream with this group of talented people and assembling such a creative and supportive team. To my children, who keep telling me to do what I love. To my parents, who have supported me every step of the way. To Claudia Quesada, my trusted artistic collaborator, who says yes, no questions asked. And to my comadre Marisela Treviño Orta: we talked for years about me directing one of your plays, and fate had it that Northwestern chose you and me at the same time. Cheers to many more.

Muy Agradecida,

Miranda González, Director

CAST LIST

Ciclady Rodriguez — Belmira
DeAnté T. Dennis Jr. — Duarte
Naijah Simon — Helena
Roberto Méndez Rodríguez — Moises
Carlos Sanchez — Señor Costa
Claudia Quesada — Señora Costa

PRODUCTION TEAM

Miranda González — Director
Chris Wych — Scenic Designer
Lia Wallfish — Costume Designer
Dylan Reyno — Lighting Designer
Lawrence Lewis — Sound Designer
Ethan Smith — Intimacy Director
Becky Warner — Production Stage Manager
Heath Grossman — Assistant Stage Manager
Sarah Bock — Deck/Wardrobe Crew
Isabella Castro — Sound Board Operator/Light Programmer

ARTIST BIOS

DeAnté T. Dennis Jr. (Duarte, he/him) is thrilled to be part of The River Bride at Northwestern University. Originally from Denver, Colorado, he is an MFA Acting student at Northwestern University and a graduate of Colorado College. An actor, filmmaker, musician, and storyteller, DeAnte’ creates original work across stage, screen, and music. His work is driven by a passion for exploring humanity with honesty, vulnerability, and hope through storytelling.

Miranda González (Director, she/her) is a Blaxican Chicago native, writer, director, producer. Currently the Producing Artistic Director at UrbanTheater Company (UTC).  A founding ensemble member of Teatro Luna and has devised and developed plays since 2000 and has a TEDx talk “The Fear of Decolonization”. She was part of the Disney Live Entertainment Imagineering 2024 Creative Cohort. Her immersive play Back In The Day: an 80’s House Music Dancesical, World Premiered UTC in the fall of 2019. She is part of the Imaginistas cohort at Latino Theater Company where her play Mascogos, about the Underground Railroad to Mexico, premiered in October 2025. Directing, writing, and devised work include;Remote Learning Curve with Albany Park Theater Ensemble, Evolution of Sonero (Los Angeles & Chicago) by Flaco Navaja, Thank You for Coming. Take Care by Stacey Rose with Court Theatre, Ashes of Light by Marco Antonio Rodriguez, La Gringa by Carmen Rivera, Of Princes and Princesas by Paola Izquierdo, Crossed and GL 2010 with Teatro Luna, F.O.P and Crime Scene Chicago with Collaboraction,. Recipient of the Diane Rodriguez Teatrista Award, Leaders for a New Chicago Award, 3Arts Award, International Centre for Women Playwrights 50/50 Award. Visit https://linktr.ee/chiblaxican to learn more!

Heath Grossman (Assistant Stage Manager, he/him) is so excited for you to join us for today’s performance. He is looking forward to finishing up his BA in theatre this fall at the UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television . During his time there he has focused on stage management and directing with a focus on new works. Heath wants to thank his family for their continued support. Enjoy!

Lawrence Lewis (Sound Designer, he/him/his) is an interdisciplinary theatre practitioner from Arizona and Colorado. He enjoys field recording, hiking, and making podcasts. Prior credits include work as a scenic carpenter (Dream Hou$e, The Bluest Eye, Cabaret, Flyin’ West, Theatreworks), actor and singer (Guys and Dolls, Antigone, The Rivals, The Play that Goes Wrong), and most recently as a sound designer with the Wirtz Center (Danceworks: Hold, Sway, David’s Redhaired Death, The Harvest).

Roberto Méndez Rodríguez (Moises, he/they) Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Roberto recently moved to Chicago to earn their MFA in Acting at Northwestern University. Favorite Regional Theatre Credits Include: A Christmas Carol (Alliance Theatre), Cabaret (Actor’s Express), Twelfth Night (Shakespeare Tavern), Legally Blonde, Spamalot (City Springs Theatre Company). TV: Noah Harrington in First Kill (Netflix). Education: BFA in Acting from Columbus State University (2021). Best way to connect: @robertocmndzr

Carlos Oliviera Sanchez (Señor Costa, he/him) is a California-born actor and first-year MFA Acting candidate at Northwestern University. Credits include Yerma (Northwestern MFA Suite Class Project); Seminar, The Pillowman, Electricidad, and This Is Our Youth (California State University, Fresno); A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Harvest Moon (Madera Theatre Project); Oedipus El Rey (Selma Arts Center); and Stupid F***ing Bird (College of the Sequoias).

Claudia Quesada (Señora Costa, she/her) is an actor, singer, and stiltwalker. She is thrilled and grateful to join the MFA actors in this production and work alongside her friend and longtime collaborator, Miranda Gonzalez. Partial credits include Court Theatre, Lookingglass Theatre Company, UrbanTheater Company, Definition Theatre, Teatro Vista, Remy Bumppo Theatre Company, Aguijón Theater, and National Queer Theater. She is proudly represented by Stewart Talent.

Naijah Simon (Helena, she/her) is delighted to play Helena in Northwestern University’s production of The River Bride. An avid people watcher, she revels in noticing and recreating the (extra)ordinary ways in which we live through voice, body, and emotion.

Lia Wallfish (Costume Designer, she/her) Her credits include As You Like It, Associate Costume Designer (Writers); Crime & Punishment, Costume Designer (TUTA); Fool For Love, Associate Costume Designer (Steppenwolf), Book of Grace, Associate Costume Designer (Steppenwolf), You Will Get Sick, Associate Costume Designer (Steppenwolf), Amadeus, Associate Costume Designer (Steppenwolf); Revolution(s), Associate Costume Designer (Goodman), The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, Associate Costume Designer (Goodman). BA in Theater, UCLA, 2019; MFA in Theater Design, Northwestern, 2024.

Chris Wych (Scenic Designer, he /him) brings creativity and passion to each production. Alongside his scenic design work, he has been the Wirtz Center’s Properties Supervisor for the past 18 years. When he isn’t managing the chaos of props, he enjoys working with Magical Starlight Theatre in Naperville, in various roles he has cherished since 1998. His favorite productions include The Wizard of Oz (2020, MST), The Secret Garden (2010, Wirtz), and any show where he gets to create and build a fun, gadgety prop.

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

We thank our donors who make it possible to develop and sustain the quality of productions at Northwestern University. The following individuals and institutions have made gifts to one or more of the following areas: the Virginia Wadsworth Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts, American Music Theatre Project and the Music Theatre Funds. All gifts were made between September 1, 2025 and July 7, 2026.

$20,000 and Above

  • Robert E. Shaw and Charlene Heuboski Shaw

$1,000-$19,999

  • Sarah Siddons Society Inc
  • Graber Family Foundation
  • Elizabeth Schlecht Murrill and Stephen R. Murrill
  • John D. Ruffley
  • David H. Zarefsky
  • Professor Stephen S. Duke and Deborah L. Duke
  • ImpactAssets
  • Judith Newton
  • Henry S. Bienen and Leigh Buchanan Bienen

$250-$999

  • Ellen W. Stukenberg and John William Stukenberg
  • Mary Jane Alt Wilson and Jeremy Robert Wilson
  • Thomas A. Monroe and Judith L Monroe
  • Timothy Donovan and Walter Krause
  • Brandon Wiles
  • Brandon Jackson Baird
  • Timothy Donovan and Walter Krause
  • Brannon Wiles
  • Barbara Goodman and Seth Weinberger
  • Norma Hoppenfeld
  • Anonymous Donor
  • John Randolph Labbe and Claire Elizabeth Labbe
  • Edward W. Koryl

Donate online at giving.northwestern.edu.

Thank you for supporting Northwestern University Theatre and Dance!

SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION DEANS

E. Patrick Johnson, Dean of the School of Communication and Annenberg University Professor
Lori Barcliff Baptista, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs and Advising
Roderick Hawkins, Associate Dean of External Affairs and Chief of Staff
Molly Losh, Associate Dean for Research
Bonnie Martin-Harris, Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs
Jeff Brown, Associate Dean for Finance and Administration
Rayvon Fouché, Associate Dean for Graduate Education
Tanya Palmer, Assistant Dean & Executive Artistic Director

SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION CHAIRS

Bharath Chandrasekaran, Roxelyn and Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
Jeremy Birnholtz, Communication Studies
Joshua Chambers-Letson, Performance Studies
Jacob Smith, Interim Chair of Radio/Television/Film
Henry Godinez, Theatre
Melissa Blanco Borelli, Director of Dance
Megan Roberts, Associate Chair of Roxelyn and Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
Courtney Lynam Scherr, Associate Chair of Communication Studies
Erin Courtney, Associate Chair of Radio/Television/Film
Tommy Rappley, Associate Chair of Theatre

WIRTZ CENTER STAFF

Jorge Silva — Director of Business Operations & Managing Director
Michael Constantino — Associate Managing Director
Pete Brace — Marketing & Development Manager
Heather Basarab — Production Manager
Valerie Tu — Production Manager, Chicago
Gianna Carter — Production Coordinator
Aziza Macklin — Audience Experience Manager
Jamie L. Mayhew — Box Office Manager
Lynn Kelso — Imagine U Artistic Mentor
Ryan T. Nelson — Music Supervisor
Dylan Reyno — Technical Coordinator
Shannon Perry — Technical Supervisor
Emily Baker — Assistant Technical Supervisor
Dylan Jost — Scenic Carpenter
Micah Hofferth — Scenic Carpenter
James Weber — Scenic Artist
Eileen Rozycki — Assistant Scenic Artist
Chris Wych — Properties Supervisor
Kathy Beach Parsons — Properties Assistant
Eileen Clancy — Costume Shop Supervisor
Jessica Donaldson — Assistant Costume Shop Supervisor
Kristy White — Cutter/Draper
Clara Cavins — Costume Cutter
Renee Werth — Stitcher/Crafts Supervisor
Eli Hunstad — First Hand
Peter Anderson — Lighting & Sound Supervisor
Michael Trudeau — Associate Lighting & Sound Supervisor
Nate Walczyk — Lighting and Sound Technician
Sara Kurensky — Marketing Assistant
Stephen J. Lewis — OGMC Arts and Media Producer
Stephanie Kulke — OGMC Fine Arts Editor

AMERICAN MUSIC THEATRE PROJECT

Masi Asare — AMTP Artistic Director

SUMMER STAFF, INTERNS, AND VOLUNTEERS

Trevor Hannagan — Lighting Staff
Emerson DelMonico, Vicky Cheng  — Marketing Interns
Arran Kennedy Orive, Graybill Partington, Mariah Waters, Maya Avery, Milan Pejnovich, Miracle Idowu — Front of House Staff