THE HARVEST is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc.
www.concordtheatricals.com
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.
Faith can be a challenge. By its very nature, it is belief without proof. And while the young seem very willing to take those incredible leaps of faith, they are harder to maintain as you move beyond adolescence. It seems that the more you know and understand about the world, the harder it is to hold onto faith based beliefs. For this group of 20 somethings in THE HARVEST, they are standing on the verge of the rest of their lives. Suddenly the future looms on the horizon and there are legitimate questions about whether their foundational beliefs will hold true when they leave the protective confines of their church basement and venture out into the greater world.
Sam Hunter has said that this is a play about radicalization – or more specifically, how people can become radicalized. I find that an interesting lens to consider the play. Many of these young people are dealing with a significant deficit in opportunity and resources. Naturally, they are grasping for something, anything, that will provide their lives purpose and direction and make, somehow, the challenges that they are experiencing worth the pain it takes to endure them. If the promise of something better exists on the other side, then the struggle has purpose and isn’t for naught. Sometimes, that promise is just enough to hold tighter to faith, even when the world is challenging your beliefs.
A common refrain in THE HARVEST is “I wish I knew why I was alive.” A question that many of us grapple with, not just in our early 20’s, but beyond. What is our purpose and wouldn’t life be better, easier, more manageable if we knew? It is truly the existential question that drives so much artistic work: what’s the reason we’re here? Ultimately, seeking that answer for yourself, finding your own drive and motivation for your existence is a life’s work. And while it might shift or evolve as you move through life, believing in SOMEthing can make a profound difference in how you experience the heartbreak and joy of daily life.
Thanks for being here today –
Thank you to the Raven Theatre Staff and Griffin Theatre Company.
Peach Balajadia — Ada
Shawn Douglass* — Chuck
Sarah Bock — Denise
Tyler James Murphy — Josh
Anthony Kairouz — Marcus
Gillian O’Daniel — Michaela
Darren Shin* — Tom
*Appears by permission of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
Jonathan Berry^ — Director
Kyle Ringley — Assistant Director
Chris Wych — Scenic Designer
Lia Wallfish — Costume Designer
Dylan Reyno — Lighting Designer
Lawrence Lewis — Sound Designer
Ethan Smith — Intimacy Director
Nathan Vescio — Production Stage Manager
Harper Dellatre — Assistant Stage Manager
Belu-Olisa Pierre Sarkissian — Deck/Wardrobe Crew
Isabella Castro De Azevedo — Sound Board Operator/Light Programmer
^Appears courtesy of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, the national labor union for professional stage directors and choreographers.
Peach Balajadia (Ada, she/her) is a Filipina singer, dancer, and actor currently pursuing her MFA in Acting at Northwestern University. Favorite theatre credits include All My Sons, As You Like It, Pásale Pásale, and Grease. She has also appeared in the television series Grey’s Anatomy, Night Court, and Judge Ross. She is thrilled to be sharing this story.
Jonathan Berry (Director, he/him) is excited to be back in Chicago, where he has recently been named the Executive Artistic Director of Chicago’s Raven Theatre. He is a proud ensemble member of both Steep Theatre and Griffin Theatre and a former Artistic Producer at Steppenwolf Theatre Company. He directed the Steppenwolf productions of: Lindiwe, The Children, You Got Older, Constellations, and the SYA productions of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, The Crucible, and A Separate Peace. Steep Theatre Company: Paris, Red Rex, Earthquakes in London, Posh, The Life and Sort of Death of Eric Argyle, If There Is I Haven’t Found it Yet, The Knowledge, Festen, Moment, The Hollow Lands and The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui. At Griffin, productions include: The North American premiers of Simon Stephens Punk Rock (Jeff award Director, Lead Actor, and Ensemble) Port, and On the Shore of the Wide World, as well as The Harvest, Winterset, Pocatello, Balm in Gilead, Golden Boy, The Burnt Part Boys, Spring Awakening, Company, Picnic, Time and the Conways, Dead End, The Hostage and Journey’s End. Most recently, he directed the Chicago premiere of Ugly Lies the Bone for Shattered Globe and the remount of Andrew Hinderaker’s Obliteration. For three years, he served as the Artistic Director of Penobscot Theatre Company in Bangor, Maine. He was the Assistant Director for Anna D Shapiro’s Broadway productions of Of Mice and Men and This is our Youth. Gift Theatre: The world premieres of both Dirty and Suicide, Incorporated, as well as Othello. Goodman Theatre: The Solid Sand Below and The World of Extreme Happiness for their New Stages Festival. Other work includes: American Theatre Company: Kill Floor, American Blues: Little Shop of Horrors and Sideman; Redtwist: Look Back in Anger and Reverb, Chicago Dramatists: I am Going to Change the World, Jackalope Theatre: The Casuals, Strawdog: On the Greenbelt (World Premiere), Conversations on a Homecoming, Remy Bumpo: The Marriage of Figaro, Theatre Mir: The Sea and Caucasian Chalk Circle, Lifeline Theater: The Piano Tuner (Afterdark award – Best Production). He pursued his MFA in directing from Northwestern University. He has taught acting, directing, and viewpoints at University of Michigan, Northwestern University, University of Chicago, Columbia College, Acting Studio Chicago, Bramble, Vagabond, Black Box and served as the director for the ensemble training program The School at Steppenwolf.
Sarah Bock (Denise, she/her) is a rising junior at Northwestern University studying theatre and psychology. Previous Wirtz credits include Ana in Among the Dead. She is extremely excited to be working on The Harvest and thanks the entire cast and crew for welcoming her!
Harper Delattre (Assistant Stage Manager, she/her) is a rising Sophomore in high school at The Chicago Academy for the Arts, studying Theatre. Most recently she has worked on light and sound design as well as board operating for the shows Chicago, Grease, and Noises Off. She would like to thank everyone involved in this show for this amazing opportunity.
Shawn Douglass (Chuck, he/him) As an Artistic Associate at Remy Bumppo, Shawn played Galileo in Brecht’s The Life of Galileo, as well as major roles in Bloomsday, Born Yesterday, Holiday, Major Barbara, Humble Boy, Night and Day, and The Clean House. Other Chicago credits include productions at Court Theatre, Northlight Theatre, Writers Theatre, and Apple Tree Theatre, among others. Shawn performed numerous roles over the course of three seasons at Wisconsin’s American Players Theatre.
Anthony Kairouz (Marcus, he/him) is thrilled to appear in his second Northwestern University MFA production, The Harvest. Favorite credits include Island of the Blue Dolphins, Charlotte’s Web, Into the Woods, and Les Misérables. Anthony holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Molloy University and is deeply grateful to his teachers, family, and friends for their unwavering support.
Lawrence Lewis (Sound Designer, he/him) is an interdisciplinary theatre practitioner with experience as a scenic technician (The Bluest Eye, Othello, Dream Hou$e, Cabaret, Theatreworks), an actor (Antigone, The Play That Goes Wrong, Guys and Dolls, The Rivals), and most recently as a sound designer (Danceworks: Hold, Sway, David’s Redhaired Death, Northwestern University). In addition to theatre, he has begun writing, producing, designing, and narrating his own works in podcast format, with a focus on fiction and documentary radio.
Tyler James Murphy (Josh, he/him) is a current MFA Actor at Northwestern University coming from Clovis, California. He attained his BA in Acting from Fresno State University in 2023. Previous credits include Northwestern University’s Empty Space Project: Yerma (Victor), and Fresno State University’s: The Pillowman (Michal), 4000 Miles (Leo), and Spring Awakening (Melchior).
Gillian O’Daniel (Michaela, she/her) is an MFA Actor from Columbus, Ohio. She is a graduate of Oklahoma City University with a B.M. in Music Theatre. Recent credits include Rachel in The Antelope Party (OKC REP) and Female Swing in A Christmas Carol (Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma).
Kyle Ringley (Assistant Director, he/him) is an actor and theatre-maker from Baltimore, MD. Chicago credits include, Holiday (Goodman Theatre), Father of the Bride (Drury Lane). TV/Film: Chicago Fire (NBC). He is a recent graduate of the MFA Acting program at Northwestern University.
Darren Shin (Tom, he/him) Theater: Disney’s Believe (Disney Cruise Lines), King & I (Harbor Lights Theatre), Guys & Dolls (Musical Theatre West), Thaïs (LA Opera). Film/TV: Monster: Jeffrey Dahmer (Netflix), Queen Victoria’s Palace (Royal Collection Trust). Commercial: Bounty Paper Towels, Signature Hardware, Huawei Mobile, McDonalds. Education: BFA Shenandoah Conservatory, NYU Cap21 Intensive, American Rep Ballet. Proud Union member of AEA and SAG-AFTRA. @DarrenShin, darrenshin.com
Nathan Vescio (Production Stage Manager, he/him) Previously a chemist in Madison Wisconsin, Nathan is a Northwestern MA student in Sound Arts and Industries. Having sound designed Danceworks and been A1 for Doctor De Soto, he is thrilled to be joining as stage manager. He also served as A1 cover for White Rooster at Lookingglass Theatre. Previous credits in sound design and stage management come from Broom Street Theatre, Madison Public Theatre, Sunset Playhouse, and his alma matter Lawrence University.
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.
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.
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
Jeff Brown, Associate Dean for Finance and Administration
Rayvon Fouché, Associate Dean for Graduate Education
Tanya Palmer, Assistant Dean & Executive Artistic Director
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
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
Masi Asare — AMTP Artistic Director
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
