*denotes TATL ensemble member
The Pyg Hypothesis by Greta Geiser
Cast
Dr. Higgins……………..……..Abby Gilster*
Professor Pickering………..Sarah Wisterman
Elijah……………………….Elliot Lockshine
Hunter……………….…………..Kara Rivera
Claire……………..……..…….Isabella La Bove
Al……………….…….…..Eric James Norman
Flower Seller/Server/Swing…Jaycey Carlson
Production Staff
Director………………..……..….Liv McDaniel*
Stage Manager.……….…….Reagan Stevenson
Sound Design……….………....Lou Stockmeyer
Set Design………………..…….….Stina Taylor*
Lighting Design…………………Britany Pearson
Abby Gilster - (Dr. Harriett Higgins) Abby is absolutely elated to be a part of the world premiere of The Pyg Hypothesis! In addition to working with TATL as an ensemble member, Abby has been a part of productions with Oil Lamp Theater and Eclectic Full Contact Theatre. Special thanks to her wonderful friends and family for their support. Enjoy the show!
Sarah Wisterman (they/them) (Pickering) Sara was most recently seen in ANTIGONICK (Trap Door Theatre), THE HATMAKER'S WIFE (Theatre Evolve), INDOOR CATS (Jeff Award recipient, Performer in a Supporting Role) and VINEGAR TOM (Red Theater). Other notable theatre credits include THREE SISTERS (The Neighborhood) and A SHAYNA MAIDEL (TimeLine Theatre). Film and TV credits include THE BEAR, WORK IN PROGRESS, CHICAGO MED, and CANDYMAN. Sarah earned their B.F.A. in Performance from Stephen F. Austin State University and is represented by Paonessa Talent.
Elliot Lockshine (Elijah) Elliot is a Chicago-based writer, director, and actor. A recent graduate of Columbia College Chicago, Elliot appeared in several productions there including Feathers and Teeth, Late: A Cowboy Song, Language of Angels, and La Casa Azul. Their original play Prequel to Animal Farm premiered at Columbia last year. Favorite directing projects include True West, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, Little Shop of Horrors, and Hide and Seek. This is Elliot’s TATL debut and they couldn’t be more excited to share this story with everyone. They would like to thank Liv, the entire production team, and the rest of the cast for creating such a supportive and playful environment. Their favorite animal is the blue whale.
Kara Rivera - She/Her (Hunter) Kara is thrilled to join this amazing cast and make her debut with Theatre Above The Law! Chicago credits include Anastasia The Musical (The Yellow Box Theater), The Music Man in Concert (Metropolis), The Sound of Music (Paramount Theatre), Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus (Limestone Stage), Roulette (Stage 773), Six Characters in Search of an Author (Voice of the City), and Thoroughly Modern Millie, Jr. (Meilley-Swallow Hall). She has been acting in various theatrical and independent film productions in the Chicagoland area since she was eight years old, honing her craft and gaining valuable experience in the entertainment industry. She is currently represented by Gray Talent Group.
Isabella La Bove (Claire) Isabella is delighted to be making her debut at Theatre Above the Law. Some of her favorite credits include Cabaret (Sally Bowles) and Stop Kiss (Sara) at Columbia College Chicago, where she earned her BA in Musical Theatre. In addition to acting, she has worked as a choreographer for Bay Area e.T.c’s children's Summer Program. Those credits include Once on This Island Jr. and Lion King Jr. Isabella sends a special thanks to everyone for their support of live theatre.
Eric James Norman (Al) Eric is excited to be apart of his second production at Theatre Above the Law. Eric is an actor based in Chicago with a BFA in Acting from University of Illinois at Chicago and a graduate of the ACADEMY at Blackbox Acting. His recent credits include Golden Girls Meet the Skooby Don’t Gang (Hell in a Handbag Productions); Pericles (Forest Park Theatre); Prelude to a Kiss (Theatre Above the Law); This Is Our Youth (Self Produced). Eric is thankful for his friends and family who have supported him along the way as well as the support of the cast and crew of The Pyg Hypothesis. Represented by Stewart Talent
Jaycey Carlson (they/she) (Flower Seller/Server/Swing Jaycey is a Chicago-based actor who is elated to be working with Theatre Above the Law. Jaycey is originally from the south/west suburbs of Chicago; attended Columbia College Chicago and studied musical theatre and acting. Their most recent credits include: Edge of Town - a workshop reading (Andi Kelly), Spring Awakening (Adult Man), Muffed (Swing/Company Member 6), Cabaret - The Musical (EmCee), Tales of Berlin: A Devised Piece (EmCee/Ensemble), and Rent (Joanne Jefferson). A quick but huge shoutout to their amazing partner, family, friends, and cats for the constant support and love.
Greta Geiser (Playwright) (she/they) Greta is a Midwest-based playwright, intimacy director, and actor originally from the Twin Cities in Minnesota. Her full-length plays include Antistrophe to an Andro-Sapphic Tragedy; Duck, Duck, Grey Goose; and, of course, The Pyg Hypothesis. Her work has been produced in both Chicago and Minnesota. She would like to thank TATL for taking on this script and sharing it with Chicago! gretamae.com
Liv McDaniel - Director (she/her) Liv is so appreciative to Greta for sharing her writing with us to breathe life into. This play has been more important than ever. In a world full of black and white thinking, let us all have “the patience to listen and the strength to grow.” It is absolutely no small achievement. Thank you to my amazing community and support group of my partner, family, and friends who were patient with and encouraging to me through this process. Thank you to Reagan, our incredible SM, who joined us halfway through this process and saved my life. And last, but not least, thank you to the actors who brought themselves to the space every day and were willing to play, collaborate, and have discourse with me & our rockstar designers/artistic team (Lou, Britany, Stina, & Tony.) To my fellow members of the LGBT+ Community, you are so loved!
Reagan Stevenson (she/her, Stage Manager) Reagan Stevenson (she/her) is excited to be back stage managing for Theatre Above the Law for the second time. Reagan is a Chicago based stage manager with a BA in Theatre Design, Production, and Technology from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Reagan Credits include Grimm (Theatre Above the Law); Innogen, Measure For Measure, Pericles (Forest Park Theatre); Gay Card (Pride Arts); This Music Should Not Be (RhinoFest/The Terror Cottas). When she’s not stage managing, Reagan works as a house manager for UIC’s School of Theatre and Music. She would like to thank her friends and family for their support.
Stina Taylor - Set Design (she/her) Stina is a scenic and lighting designer, technical director, and stage manager in Chicago. Recent credits include scenic design for What the Weird Sisters Saw (Idle Muse), technical direction for The Hatmaker's Wife (Theatre EVOLVE) scenic and lighting design for Grimm, scenic design for The Importance of Being Earnest, and stage management and scenic design for Cry it Out at Theatre Above the Law, where she is an ensemble member. She has been proud to take part in other productions in Chicago, such as technical direction for Marie Antoinette and the Magical Negroes (The Story Theatre), scenic design for The Last Queen of Camelot and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (Idle Muse Theater Company). She holds a B.A. in Theatre Arts and Psychology from Kalamazoo College in Kalamazoo, MI.
Britany Pearson (she/they, Lighting Design) Britany Pearson (she/they) is a Chicago based designer. They are a graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago where they pursued a BA in Design, Production and Technology. They have worked as a scenic carpenter, stagehand, electrician and assistant lighting designer; this production being their second show at Theatre Above the Law.
Lou Stockmeyer (Sound Design) Lou Stockmeyer is excited to be making their professional sound design debut with Theatre Above the Law! They are a recent Chicago transplant and Northwestern graduate, where they studied theater and computer science. Recent sound credits include Sweeney Todd, John Proctor is the Villain, and The Thing About the Dream. When they’re not behind the tech table, they are acting, bouldering, or trying to convince their roommate’s cat to like them.
A message from the playwright:
When I first approached the source material, writing a Pygmalion adaptation seemed straightforward enough. It’s just a delightful comedy about phonetics and flower girls, right? But as I came to the final scene between Eliza and Higgins, I was struck by a line: “I can't change my nature; and don't intend to change my manners.” How could Eliza change her manners when the great Henry Higgins could not? Suddenly, I understood the play I wanted to write. The Pyg Hypothesis rewards those willing to expand their worldview — and punishes intolerance, even in the places we least expect to find it. Bigotry doesn’t have one look or one background, and neither does empathy. I’m grateful to everyone at Theatre Above the Law for helping me share this story with Chicago.
Special Thanks: River Run Press, Taylor B. Hill, Stephanie Stockstill, Abby Gilster. Tyler Core, the TATL board and ensemble, Bob & Judy, The Arts Center Highland Park, Taiwani Property Management, The Saints, The Story Theatre, Idle Muse Theatre Company, and YOU, the audience!
MASKS ARE ENCOURAGED WHILE IN OUR INTIMATE SPACE.