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Gut Punch: A New Play
Free Staged Reading
Friday, January 30 and Saturday, January 31
7:30 p.m. CST
The Beatrice Theater at Bramble Arts Loft
5545 N. Clark St. 2nd Floor
Chicago, IL 60640
Team
Breanna Lucas, Writer/Director/Co-Producer
Breanna Lucas (she/her) is beyond grateful to stage a reading of her first full-length play, “Gut Punch” at Bramble Arts Loft. Many thanks to the support of her friends and mentors along the way, including this incredibly dreamy cast and crew. A graduate of Northwestern University, she loves creating art with friends and can be seen acting in the feature films My Little Renaissance Girl and Primrose Inn (upcoming).
Warren Swartwout, CHARLIE
Warren is a Loyola University Chicago Theatre graduate, where he met several fellow castmates (including his partner, Tanner). After a hiatus from acting and improv, he’s excited to reunite with friends on stage for this reading and is grateful to creative friends like Breanna for pulling him back in.
Tanner Walters, B. FRAGIILS
Tanner Walters is excited to bring Breanna's amazing writing to life after a long time away from the stage. Some of his past favorite credits include "Cosmic Events Are Upon Us" (The Waltzing Mechanics), and "Lost in Yonkers" and "Spring Awakening" at Loyola University Chicago.
Alex Nolen, MAC
Alex Nolen (she/her) still calls Arizona home but has lived in Chicago for 14 years (holy cannoli). She loves performing with friends and jumps at the chance to work with them whenever possible! Huge shoutout to Breanna for writing such a gut wrenching play ;).
Andrea Conway-Diaz, LIBBY
Andrea Conway-Diaz is thrilled to be is thrilled to be cast in the world premiere staged reading of "Gut Punch.” Andrea is a non-equity Jeff-Award winning Chicago actress: Best Production, August Wilson's "7 Guitars," City Lit Theater and was also nominated for a Black Theater Alliance Award for Best Actress: Sen Barbara Jordan, "Voice of Good Hope" also at City Lit Theater. She was recently seen in "On My Terms," Definition Theater and has supporting roles in the films Angels in the Rye, The Good News and a web series called True Deceptions. Andrea has a BA in Journalism/Theater (Loyola Univ) and an MA in Written Communications (Natl Louis Univ). She is represented by The Talent Networks and Gill Talent Group.
Marae Ashmore, GINA
Marae Ashmore is an actress, writer, and producer in Chicago, IL. Her sketch comedy show “Overly Emotional!” will begin performances at Bughouse starting Feb 20. Thank you to Breanna for the amazing opportunity to be a part of “Gut Punch”.
Clara Flaherty, CAMILLE
Clara Flaherty is so honored and excited to be part of the first (of many!) performances of Gut Punch. A proud graduate of Loyola University of Chicago, Clara has been seen on a multitude of stages performing everything from improv, to musicals and loving every second. Favorite credits include Jo (FML), Benny (My Little Renaissance Girl), Betty Jean (Marvelous Wonderettes), and Sir Studley (Once Upon a Mattress). Thanks to the whole team and especially Breanna for writing such a beautiful story. For, as always, AKBM.
Katie Nopar, MAYA
Katie is thrilled to be apart of the brilliant and magnificent Breanna Lucas’s GUT PUNCH! While she has no credits per se (unless we’re going back to 2005 when she starred in Hello Dolly as Dolly #5) Katie has remained a true theater kid and listens to musical soundtracks, takes an occasional improv class and enjoys seeing as many shows as possible.
Caroline Miller, STAGE DIRECTIONS
Caroline Miller is a former theater kid turned theater supporter! Her only former credit worth mentioning is her role as the gorilla in her high school’s production of Cabaret. She is thrilled to be making her return to the stage to participate in such a creative, hilarious, and moving work.
Amy Heller Zimmerman, HAVEN/Co-Producer
Amy Heller Zimmerman is an actor, writer, producer and director and could not be more excited to join the cast of "Gut Punch" as Haven Hartwood. Some of her previous credits include For the Record (Prop Thtr, a two act play), Single All the Way (7 year running sketch comedy show), My Little Renaissance Girl (Feature Film), and upcoming feature film Primrose Inn and short film The Philanthropist. As always, she thanks her incredible network of friends and her amazing family (Mike, Mom, Aiden and Noah) for always supporting her dream to create..
Anna Dauzvardis, H. PYLORI
Anna Dauzvardis is very excited to be playing H. Pylori in Gut Punch! Her past theatrical credits include His Shadow at Stage Left Theatre, The Wiz with Kokandy Productions, Red Velvet with Raven Theatre, Direct from Death Row: The Scottsboro Boys (2016 Non-Equity Jeff Award for Best Ensemble) at Raven Theatre. Her portrayal of “April” in ETA Creative Arts Theater’s production of Liberty City earned her a 2016 Non-Equity Jeff Award, a 2015 Black Theater Alliance Award, and a 2015 African American Arts Alliance Award..
Nic Icaza, Lighting Designer
Kelsey Cheng-Hogarth, Art/Production Designer
David Janove, Co-Producer, Sound Designer