ANTIGONE is presented by special arrangement with Paradigm Talent Agency.
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.
Antigone is a play for every time and place, as long as there is someone standing up for their convictions and someone who opposes them. But to me, the true beauty of Sophocles’ Antigone lies in its complexities and contradictions. Yes, it’s a sweeping political drama! Yes, it’s a call for justice. But at its heart, it is a story that dwells on the importance of human relationships—the love between family members: sisters, fathers, sons. The main conflict is driven by a grief that feels insurmountable, posing the profound question: Who comes first—the living or the dead? Antigone cannot consider anything else—not her sister Ismene, not Thebes, and not even her fiancé Haimon—while her brother Polynikes remains unburied and unmourned.
In Director Tae-Heum Yeon’s staging, Antigone is reimagined as a hereditary shaman, part of a folkloric spiritual practice found particularly in the southern parts of Korea. This type of Korean shamanism places immense importance on rituals called gut, which include mourning and funerary rituals. Staging Antigone through this lens of Korean Shamanism reminds us that her struggle is not only political but deeply spiritual and emotional. Mourning is a fundamental human necessity, a rite of passage that allows the dead to find peace and the living to process their grief. Tae-Heum Yeon’s use of shamanistic elements harmonizes with the many layers of the story, highlighting how mourning and ritual are universal experiences that transcend time and culture.
Antigone asks us to consider what it means to mourn someone and challenges us to hold empathy for others’ grief even when we disagree. It reminds us that our common humanity is bigger than politics—a realization that even Kreon comes to understand. We hope this performance encourages you to reflect on these timeless themes and see the play in a new light.
Korean Cultural Center of Chicago, Chicago Korean Dance Company, National Gugak Center, Kyung-Chul Choi, Young-Bae Son, Dr. Elizabeth Son, Wig Coordinator Finty Critchley from The Theatre School at DePaul University and BFA Wig and Makeup Design and Technology Class of 2026
Arwen-Vira Marsh — Antigone
Augustus Glick — Kreon
Mia El-Yafi — Ismene/Chorus
Alexis Diaz-Waterman — Eurydike/Chorus
Bryson Shaub — Haimon/Chorus
Natalie J. Tangeman — Messenger/Chorus, U/S Eurydike
Rachel Weintraub — Teiresias/Chorus
Yehuda Zilberstein — Guard 1/Chorus, U/S Teiresias
Amanda Elena de la Fuente — Dance Captain/Boy/Chorus
Mario Montes — Polyneikes/Guard 3/Chorus, U/S Messenger
Alex DeVito — Eteocles/Guard 2/Chorus
Natalie Evans — Servant/Chorus, U/S Eurydike
Mark Park — Chorus/Chorus Lead
Ella Stevens — Chorus
Marilena Kolokotsa — U/S Antigone
Alex Arinkin — U/S Kreon
Ella Waffner — U/S Ismene/Boy/Chorus
Casey Bond — U/S Haimon/Chorus
Margot Luftig — U/S Guard 1/Chorus Lead/Chorus
Elizabeth Hare — U/S Servant/Chorus
Finn Callander — U/S Polyneikes/Eteocles/Guard 2/Guard 3/Chorus
Juan Felipe Barrera Lopez — Asst. Director
Courtney Abbott — Intimacy/Fight Coordinator
Ju Yeun Chae — Korean Dance Choreographer
Amanda Elena de la Fuente — Assoc. Choreographer/Dance Captain
Alayna Klein — Scenic Designer
Sierra Walker — Lighting Designer
Sam Bessler — Asst. Lighting Designer
Gin Ko — Costume Designer
Finty Critchley — Wig Coordinator
Jackie Acosta — Wig Coordinator
Stefanie Senior — Sound Designer
Catherine Phang, Mya Vandegrift — Composers
Suzi Elnaggar — Dramaturg
Jihye Kim, Alice Heemang Kim — Cultural Consultants
Linda Gates — Voice/Text Coach
Zoe Davis — Stage Manager
Ellie Dillenburg — Asst. Stage Manager
Hannah Andruss — Wig Technician
Kapila Marsh — Wig Maintenance
Eunbi Lee — Run Crew Head
Sofia Aguayo, Nora Fox, Eli Hoffer, Vincent Perez, Seidy Pichardo, Megan Trubey, Tyler Yoon, Klax Kirsammer — Run Crew
Prologue — Processional March
Scene 2 — The War
Scene 4 — The Guard’s Testimony
Scene 9 — Watch Out!
Scene 10 — A Wise Word
Scene 13 — Antigone’s Final Defense
Scene 14 — Antigone’s Gutt
Scene 19 — The First Prophecy Fulfilled
Scene 20 — The Second Prophecy Fulfilled
Scene 21 — Kreon’s Gutt
Scene 22 — Finale
Scene 5 — Many Things Strange
Scene 6 — The Guard Describes the Burial of Polynices
Scene 12 — The Song of Eros
Scene 16 — The Prophecy of Teiresias
Scene 18 — The Song of Bakkhos
Courtney Abbott (Intimacy/Fight Coordinator, they/she) Upcoming: Glassheart (City Lit). Past: the love object (The Story Theatre); In His Hands (First Floor); Lavender Men (About Face); Love Song (Remy Bumppo); SS! Romeo & Juliet (Chicago Shakes); No Man’s Land (Steppenwolf). Film: Stars in the Water, Paper Planes, Lee Baby, Departing Seniors. Education: MFA, Ohio University; BS, Northwestern. Courtney is a Stakeholder in the Back Room Shakespeare Project. CourtneyAbbott.com
Alex Arinkin (U/S Kreon, any pronouns) is absolutely tickled pink to be sharing in the joy of this production with so many talented and beautiful souls! Alex Arinkin is a sophomore theatre major from Madison, Wisconsin. He’s most recently performed in “Hometown” at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and is excited to take part in his first show at Wirtz! He’d love to thank his parents, friends, and everyone who took part in this magnificent production!
Casey Bond (U/S Hamion/Chorus, he/him) was born and raised in Evanston, and is now a Sophomore at NU! Stage credits include: “Pity The Woman Who Never Spills” (Vertigo Productions), “Fun Home” (Victory Gardens Theatre), “Pillars of the Community” (Strawdog Theatre), “Dead Man Walking” (Piven Theatre), “To the Lighthouse” (Piven Theatre) “Waiting for Godot” ( u/s, Druid Theatre at Chicago Shakespeare).
Finn Callander (U/S Polyneikes/Eteocles/Guard 2/Guard 3/Chorus, he/him) is a freshman theatre major at Northwestern University, interested in filmmaking and writing. “Antigone” is his debut Northwestern production. Finn’s other acting credits include productions of “Black Comedy” (Brindsley Miller), “As You Like It” (Orlando), “Tartuffe” (Cléante), “The Real Inspector Hound” (Moon), “The Fantasticks” (Henry), and acting credits in his self-directed, self-written film adaptation of “Macbeth”.
Zoe Davis (Stage Manager, they/she/he) is a third-year Theatre and Psychology double major at Northwestern University with a concentration in Theatre Management and minor in Entrepreneurship. Based in Chicago and originally from Barcelona, Davis’ most notable stage management credits include The Clean House, Mean Girls, Once, and Waa Mu’s Romance en Route. Upcoming projects include producing Seussical and The Mee-Ow Show. Davis aspires to work internationally on theatre productions, comedy shows, concerts, and experimental performances!
Alex DeVito (Eteocles/Guard 2/Chorus, they/them) is a junior theatre major at Northwestern University. Northwestern credits include The Wirtz Center’s The Aliens, The Prom, As You Like It, A Peculiar Inheritance, Blood Wedding, and Open House, as well as Northwestern student theater productions of Cabaret, Rent, Mamma Mia, and guest performances for The Blackout, Rainbow Alliance, and Northwestern’s Got Talent student groups. Other credits include Hairspray in Concert with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and Newsies at Toby’s Dinner Theater.
Alexis Diaz-Waterman (Eurydike/Chorus, she/her) is a fourth year student at Northwestern University studying Theatre and Computer Science who is pursuing both acting and directing. Her Northwestern theatre credits include Bride in Blood Wedding, Lilith in She Kills Monsters, Jade Chainsaw Tits, and Gigi in the staged reading of Radial Gradient with Avalanche Theatre. She has also assistant directed In His Hands alongside Ismael Lara Jr., and directed The Dispute: A Chicagoan Tale for Northwestern’s MFA Writing Showcase.
Ellie Dillenburg (Asst. Stage Manager, she/her) is a senior theatre major and gender studies minor from Madison, Wisconsin. This is Ellie’s first time assistant stage managing for Wirtz and she’s excited to be working on this show! Ellie previously stage managed “Pillowtalk and Other Parts of Speech” and “The Wild Thing”, both StuCo shows, as well as assistant directing “Be Mean to Me” and “The Clean House”.
Suzi Elnaggar (Dramaturg, she/they) is an Egyptian-American dramaturg, performance scholar, and theatre-maker. A 2021 Kennedy Center Dramaturgy Intensive Fellow, she is the founder of the Digital Development Project and Backstitch Story Arts. Dramaturgy: Silk Road Cultural Center “Shahadat”; Backstitch Story Arts “Off-White”; Clamour Theatre “Lived Experience”; TACTICS Ottawa “ANANSI V. GOD(S)”; Jubilee Theatre Waco “Fairview”; Wild Imaginings “Jesus and Valium, “The Way He Looks at You, and “Cardboard Castles Hung on Walls.” Her scholarship and practice center community, collaboration, and context.
Natalie Evans (Servant/Chorus, she/her) is so excited to be working with this team and cast on this process! Her favorite performance credits include Rose/Fox in The Little Prince, Olive/Bertine in An American Tragedy(new musical workshop), Mrs.Meeker/Mimsey in Funny Girl, and Demetrius in Midsummer Night’s Dream. Outside of performing, Natalie served as Director of Community Development for the Dolphin Show for 2 years and just recently took a position as a Summer Education Apprentice at Portland Stage. She would like to thank her family and friends for their constant support!
Amanda Elena de la Fuente (Dance Captain/Boy/Chorus, she/ella) is a Chicago based Spanish-American artist and third year studying Theatre, Dance, and TYA. She is a multifaceted creator in performance, directing, and choreographing. On campus, she works as the incoming Education Director of Seesaw Theatre as well as a founding member for Eight Counts Ballet Company. Notable Work Includes: The Great Sea Serpent (Seal/Hel), Water by the Spoonful (Yaz), Blood Wedding (Spinning Woman), and Frida Libre (Co-Choreographer).
Linda Gates (Voice/Text Coach, she/her) has worked as a voice/dialect/text coach for theatre and film, both on and off Broadway, regional theatre, Europe and in England. Recent Broadway dialect coaching credits include PARADISE SQUARE which originated in Chicago. Chicago Theater credits include: Steppenwolf, Chicago Shakespeare, The Goodman, Remy Bumppo, Writers Theatre, The Court Theatre, Victory Gardens and Windy City Playhouse. She has also served as the English Diction coach for The Metropolitan Opera, The Lyric Opera of Chicago and Chicago Opera Theatre. Recent film credits include The Chicago Code and Batwoman with Ruby Rose. Linda Gates is also an Artistic Associate at the Prague Shakespeare Company where she teaches, performs and directs every summer with an international cohort of students and theatre artists. She is Head of Voice for the Department of Theatre at Northwestern University, and the author of Voice for Performance published in a 3rd revised edition by Rowman and Littlefield and Speaking in Shakespeare’s Voice published by Northwestern University Press.
Augustus Saint Glick (Kreon, he/him) is proud to be a part of Antigone this fall! Recently, he worked at BADA’s London Theatre Program on Volpone as Corvino, Vassar’s Powerhouse Theatre as Macbeth, and Wirtz’ The Tempest. He is a senior Theatre and English double major at Northwestern concentrating on theatre, television, and film performance. Born in Los Angeles and raised in Connecticut, he can’t wait to work on the next Hollywood blockbuster or Olivier spectacle!
Elizabeth Hare (U/S Servant/Chorus, she/her) is a first-year theatre and neuroscience major who is so excited to be a part of her first show at Northwestern! She is from Washington, DC, where she was an active participant in her high school theatre and chorus ensemble. Favorite roles include Karen in “Mean Girls,” Tink in “Museum,” and Miss Scarlet in “Clue.” She would like to thank her parents for their unending support during her transition to Northwestern.
Alice Heemang Kim (Cultural Consultant, she/her) is from Jeju Island and researches Korean shamanism and Jeju history. She is a graduating Projection Designer at The Theatre School at DePaul University, and performs weekly in “Port of Entry” (Albany Park Theater Project).
Alayna Klein (Scenic Designer, she/her) is a 3rd year set designer in pursuit of her MFA at NU. Previously, she has designed “The Tempest” and “The Clean House” here at the Wirtz Center. Select design credits: “Fully Committed” (6th Street Playhouse), “Spring Awakening” (SUNY New Paltz), Physical Acting Intensive (NYU), and “Leaving Eden” (NY Musical Festival 2019). Select assistant credits: The Drama Bookshop (David Korins), “Suffs” (Mimi Lien, The Public), “Sweeney Todd” (Mimi Lien, Broadway), “Leroy & Lucy” (Andrew Boyce, Steppenwolf) . www.alaynaklein.com.
Gin Ko (Costume Designer, she/her) is a costume designer with extensive collaborations in photography projects. Originally from Taiwan, she arrives at costume design from a background in classical music. She holds a BA in Drama and Theatre from National Taiwan University and is currently pursuing her Stage Design MFA at Northwestern University. Explore more of her creations by visiting her website: https://ginyk.com/
Juan Felipe Barrera Lopez (Asst. Director, he/him) is a fourth-year theatre and physics major at Northwestern University from Bogota, Colombia. Before moving to Chicago, he also lived in Changshu, China. Recent Wirtz credits include assistant directing “Blood Wedding”, and “Mulan”. Other credits include directing “I Miss You, Good Night” (Vertigo), “Antigone” (Lovers and Madmen), assistant directing “Selling Kabul” (Northlight Theatre), “Sometimes the Rain, Sometimes the Sea” (WAVE), and “The Last Nine Lives of Martin the Mayfly” (Vertigo).
Arwen-Vira Marsh (Antigone, she/they) is a junior studying Theatre & Black Studies. She is in the Music Theatre Certificate and Playwriting Module. She has studied at the Laguardia High School of Performing Arts in New York City and the British American Drama Academy in London. THEATRE: Nina in In the Heights, Deb in Ordinary Days, Amy in Dry Land, Linda in The Thin Place. DIRECTING: Dry Land (Wirtz SPP), Once (Arts Alliance), Small Mouth Sounds (WAVE). Instagram: @hazykiid
Mario Montes (Polyneikes/Guard 3/Chorus, U/S Messenger, he/him) is a Senior Theatre Major from Brooklyn, New York. His recent credits include Dracula: A Feminist Revenge Fantasy, Really and The Tempest with the Wirtz Center. He would like to send thanks and love to the cast, team, and crew of Antigone, as well as his parents and friends. Special thanks to Shawn Douglass for his mentorship and guidance.
Mark Park (Chorus/Chorus Lead, any pronouns) is an actor and dancer from South Korea who is currently studying theatre at Northwestern University. When not performing, Mark Park also loves to design wigs, hair, makeup and costumes.
Bryson Shaub (Haimon/Chorus, he/him) is a sophomore Theatre major from Port Washington, New York, and is thrilled to make his Wirtz debut in Antigone. This summer, he had the privilege of studying acting with Jennifer Monaco at the renowned William Esper Studio in New York City. Previous credits include “The Giver” (Jonas), “Puffs” (Cedric/Mr. Voldy), and “Sunday in the Park with George” (Soldier/Dennis). Bryson would like to thank his parents and his brother, Gavin, for their unwavering support and for always reminding him that with hard work, you can achieve anything you set your mind to. This one’s for you, great-grandad.
Ella Stevens (Chorus, she/her) is a junior at Northwestern University studying Theatre, concentrating in acting, and minoring in Literature. She is happy to be back in Evanston after studying in London at BADA this past fall. Ella’s other Wirtz credits include Be Mean to Me (Jean) and A Mirror is Not a Window; Roe v Wade (Actor 6). You also may have seen her in Hedda Gabler (Hedda) last spring. Thanks for coming to see the show!
Natalie Tangeman (Messenger/Chorus, she/her) is a junior Theatre and Psychology Major in the TYA Module. Favorite roles include Renfield in Dracula: A Feminist Revenge Fantasy, Really at the Wirtz Center, Beth in John Proctor Is the Villain with Northwestern’s Sit & Spin Productions; Juliet in Romeo & Juliet with Actors’ Theatre of Columbus; and Caterpillar in Alice at Interlochen Center for the Arts. Natalie is a performer, educator, and director with Griffin’s Tale Children’s Theatre and Seesaw Theatre.
Ella Waffner (U/S Ismene/Boy/Chorus, she/her) is a junior at Northwestern University majoring in Theatre and English Literature. She hails from Buffalo, NY where she has been fortunate to work with Shakespeare in Delaware Park. On campus, Eleen is the Executive Director of Lovers & Madmen. Eleen would like to thank her family (shout out to Mads) and friends for their love and support.
Rachel Arianna Weintraub (Teirisa/Chorus, she/her), a junior, is excited to be in Antigone. Some of her favorite credits include… Off Broadway: Happily (Lucinda), Bend in the Road (Minnie Mae Barry), Number the Stars (Ellen Rosen). Regional: A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Alabama Shakespeare, Twihard the Musical at Otherworld Theatre. TV: Sesame Street and Saturday Night Live. Northwestern Theatre ’25. She would love to thank her parents and friends for supporting her.
Mia El-Yafi (Ismene/Chorus, she/her) is a theatre political science double major who is thrilled to be making her debut with the Wirtz Center. Mia has previously appeared in How to Defend Yourself, the 10 minute play festival, and the Firelight Devising Series. She would like to thank her loving family and friends for their endless support, even across borders.
Tae-Heum Yeon (Director, he/him) is a Seoul and Chicago-based theatre director, leads The Satellite Projects. His work includes the Asian premiere of Bernarda Alba, Justice, and Twelfth Moon. He has assisted directors like Gina Lee and Arthur Nauzyciel, won Best Production at the Hyundai-Star Festival, and holds a BA in Theater from Chung-Ang University (South Korea) and voice training from Dalhousie University (Canada). Taeheum is currently pursuing an MFA in Directing at Northwestern University (U.S.).
Yehuda Zilberstein (Guard 1/Chorus, he/him), a talented actor and singer, has showcased his versatility across various roles. A recent Interlochen Arts Academy graduate, Yehuda has played significant parts in productions like “Electra,” “Anything Goes,” and “The Miracle Worker.” Fluent in multiple languages, he brings a unique cultural depth to his performances. Offstage, Yehuda hones his craft through continuous voice and dance training, preparing for each role with meticulous dedication.
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, 2022 and August 31, 2023.
Donate online at giving.northwestern.edu.
Thank you for supporting Northwestern University Theatre and Dance!
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
Rick Morris, Associate Dean for Finance and Administration
Rayvon Fouche’, Associate Dean for Graduate Education
Tanya Palmer, Assistant Dean & Executive Artistic Director
Thomas Bradshaw, Radio/Television/Film
Leslie DeChurch, Communication Studies
Joshua Chambers-Letson, Performance Studies
Henry Godinez, Theatre
Bharath Chandrasekaran, Roxelyn and Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
Melissa Blanco Borelli, Head of Dance
Tracy Davis, Associate Chair of Theatre
James Schwoch, Associate Chair of Communication Studies
Jacob Smith, Associate Chair of Radio/Television/ Film
Jorge Silva — 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 Hoffert — 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
Pamela Brailey — Cutter/Draper
Renee Werth — Stitcher/Crafts Supervisor
Eli Hunstad — First Hand
Peter Anderson — Lighting & Sound Supervisor
Michael Trudeau — Associate Lighting & Sound Supervisor
Stephen J. Lewis — OGMC Arts and Media Producer
Stephanie Kulke — OGMC Fine Arts Editor
Alexander Gemignani — AMTP Artistic Director
Brannon Bowers — AMTP Producing Director
Denise McGillicuddy — AMTP Program Assistant
Arawen Alberg, Crom Amaya, Maya Avery, Sarah Bock, Alex Branka, Josaphina Brinkerhoff, Aydn Calhoun, Sydney Chan, Daniel Cho, Gemma Cohen, Ryan Cooke, Olivia Czyz, Ciara Farris, Nora Fox, Yui Ginther, Zoryah Gray, Jessica Cuo, Kiara Hill, Sebastian Holifield, Nicholas Hollenbeck, Katherine Horton, Miracle Idowu, Yelim Kim, Ghino Lee, Sarah Lewis, Morgan Marin, Owen Meehan-Egan, Sophia Mitton-Fry, Mario Montes, Alexander Myres, Ezra Osburn, Yooha Park, Michael Peterson, Seidy Pichardo, Elle Pierre, Haley Randall, Ayla Richardson, Henry Rohrback, Ava Romero, Jack Shadden, Anah Shaikh, Louise Sims, Poseybelle Stoeffler, Amelia Sullivan, Amanda Swickle, Millie Rose Taub, Walter Todd, Mariah Waters, Alex Yang, Gavin Yi, Yehuda Zilberstein
