American Blues Theater, under the continued leadership of Executive Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside, is thrilled to open its 40th anniversary season with a world premiere by Artistic Affiliate Kristoffer Diaz, Things With Friends. The winner of the 2023 Blue Ink Playwrighting Award and workshopped through American Blues Theater, Things With Friends will receive its world premiere staging August 22 – October 5, 2025, under the direction of Artistic Affiliate Dexter Bullard. The press opening is scheduled for August 29, 2025 at 7:00pm at 5627 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago.
Executive Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside states, “We’re thrilled to share Kristoffer Diaz’s provocative world premiere that will leave audiences breathless. Things With Friends received our 2023 Blue Ink Award for new work and its relevance has only grown in the interim. Pairing Dexter Bullard’s deft direction with this powerful script is sure to produce a night of theater audience will not forget.”
Manhattan. Burt and Adele are hosting a dinner party. Steak is on the stove. The George Washington Bridge has collapsed into the Hudson. Kristoffer Diaz has written a play about it. We’ve already said too much.
The cast of Things With Friends includes Audrey Billings* (Adele), Casey Campbell* (Burt), Cruz Gonzalez-Cadel (Vy), Maya Lou Hlava (Joony), Flaco Navaja (NYC), & Jon Hudson Odom* (Chabby).
The production team includes Grant Sabin* (scenic), Lily Walls* (costumes & wardrobe supervisor), Levi J. Wilkins (lights), Rick Sims* (sound), Amy Peter (properties), Richard Lundy* (stage manager), Michael Trudeau* (facilities manager), Nate Walczyk* (production manager & ME), Tom Daniel* (technical director), & Chris Walls (audio supervisor).
*denotes Ensemble member or Artistic Affiliate of American Blues Theater.
Tickets, priced 39.50-$49.50, are on sale now the American Blues Theater box office, online at www.americanbluestheater.com, or by phone at (773) 654-3103.
About the Artists
KRISTOFFER DIAZ (Playwright) is a proud Artistic Affiliate of American Blues Theater. Kristoffer is a playwright, screenwriter, musical librettist, and educator. His teaching interests include dramatic writing and contemporary US theater, with a special focus on new American plays and musicals. His musical Hell’s Kitchen (created with Alicia Keys) was nominated for 13 Tony Awards, including Best Book, and is currently running on Broadway. His play The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Drama, and has gone on to more than forty productions nationwide. Other full-length titles include Hercules (adapted from the Disney film for the Joseph Papp Public Theater’s Public Works program), Reggie Hoops, Welcome to Arroyo’s, #therevolution, Rebecca Oaxaca (Lays Down A Bunt), Expect Victory, and The Unfortunates. His work has been produced, commissioned, and developed at The Public Theater, Dallas Theater Center, Geffen Playhouse, Center Theatre Group, The Goodman, Second Stage, Victory Gardens, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Chelsea Factory, American Theater Company, The Atlantic, InterAct, Mixed Blood, The Orchard Project, Hip-Hop Theater Festival, The Lark, Summer Play Festival, Donmar Warehouse, and South Coast Repertory, among many others. Awards include the Guggenheim, Jerome, Van Lier, NYFA, and Gail Merrifield Papp Fellowships; New York Times Outstanding Playwright Award; Lucille Lortel, Equity Jeff, and OBIE Awards; and the Future Aesthetics Artist Regrant, among others. As a screenwriter, Kristoffer adapted the musical Rent for the Fox network, wrote on the Netflix series GLOW, and has developed original television pilots for HBO and FX. Kristoffer holds a BA from New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study, an MFA from NYU’s Department of Dramatic Writing, and an MFA from Brooklyn College’s Performing Arts Management program. He teaches in both Gallatin and the Department of Dramatic Writing at the Tisch School of the Arts. Kristoffer sits on the board of New Dramatists (where he is an alumni playwright) and serves as an officer on the council of the Dramatists Guild.
DEXTER BULLARD (Director) is a proud Artistic Affiliate of American Blues Theater. Dexter has directed throughout Chicago since at theaters such as Steppenwolf, Goodman, Northlight, Victory Gardens, HOUSE, A Red Orchid, Next, Famous Door, and of course, American Blues: Tom & Jerry. He directed Tracy Letts’ Linda Vista at Steppenwolf, Center Theater Group LA, Mies Julie and Sucker Punch at Victory Gardens, Christmas with Elvis at Chopin, and The Flick also at Steppenwolf. On Broadway, he directed Linda Vista with Second Stage and Craig Wright’s Grace; Bug, Lady, and Mistakes Were Made Off-Broadway. Dexter is alumni director for the Second City developing original revues for Detroit, ETC and Second City Theatricals. Dexter founded and led Plasticene “a pioneer physical theater company” (Chicago Reader) and with the ensemble developed over fourteen critically-acclaimed experimental works appearing at venues including The Edinburgh Fringe, Soho Theater NYC, Viaduct, Links Hall, the MCA and the Storefront. He has received a Jeff Citation, a Lucille Lortel Award, several Jeff Nominations, a Drama Desk Nomination, and was named “Best of Chicago” by Chicago Magazine. Dexter studied acting at Northwestern and received his MFA in Performance from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Dexter is a Professor of Acting at The Theatre School at DePaul and hosts ongoing classes for all levels with his own Studio. dexterbullard.com
AUDREY BILLINGS (Adele) is a proud Ensemble member of American Blues Theater. American Blues Theater credits include Mary Bailey in the annual production of It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! (Jeff Award nominations for Ensemble, Short Run Production, and Production-midsize); The Commons, Blue Ink Festival, and The Ripped Festical. Some favorite roles outside of Blues include: Emilie in A Red Orchid Theatre’s production of The Moors, Christmas Eve in the long-running production of Avenue Q at the Mercury Theater, Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar, Antonia in Man of la Mancha, and Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof. She has graced the stages at the Paramount Theatre, Marriott Theatre Lincolnshire, Drury Lane Oakbrook, Theatre at the Center, and Lookingglass Theatre Company. Audrey is the managing director at A Red Orchid Theatre, bookkeeper for Visionary Eye Care Professionals, and a proud member of Actors’ Equity.
CASEY CAMPBELL (Burt) is a proud Ensemble member of American Blues Theater. American Blues Theater credits include Oklahoma (Jeff Award nominations for Supporting Actor & Musical-midsize), It’s a Wonderful Life (2006-2008), Holiday Cabaret Show, and The Ripped Festival. He is a professional voice-over actor who resides in Burbank, California. His television voice credits include: THE LATE SHOW WITH STEPHEN COLBERT (Regular VO for Comedy Cold Opens), MORE POWER (History Channel, Narrator), CUBS CORNERSTONES (Marquee Sports Network, Narrator), and the video games CALL OF DUTY: COLD WAR, TOPSPIN 2K24. Casey is also the voice of THE GENERAL for the THE GENERAL AUTO INSURANCE COMMERCIALS, as well as the exclusive voice for NBA TV. He recently also became the voice of Chester the Cheetah for CHEETOS. His other commercial voice-over work includes clients such as DODGE RAM, HBO MAX, GEICO, NINTENDO, MO’S SOUTHWEST GRILL, CARRABBAS, NISSAN, FORD, HULU, CARMAX, ECHO PARK, JOHN DEERE, MUCINEX, WALMART, LA RAMS, BIG BUS TOURS CHICAGO and LOS ANGELES, KANSAS CITY ROYALS, CASEY’S CONVENIENCE STORES, MENARDS, HOME DEPOT and many, many more. His on-camera works includes playing Chef Murphy on the first four seasons of Disney’s BUNK’D, as well as BIZAARDVARK, BEST FRIENDS WHENEVER, MIGHTY MED, MTV’s AWKWARD, HAPPYLAND and NBC’s SUPERSTORE. On camera commercial work includes AMAZON PRIME, CARMAX, TOYOTA, JOSE CUERVO, GEICO, CHEVY and an unfortunately named auto school called UTI (Universal Technical Institute). Theatre credits include “The Buddy Holly Story” at Drury Lane Oakbrook, “Troilus and Cressida” at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre and “Fool For Love” at Los Angeles Fringe Festival.
CRUZ GONZALEZ-CADEL (Vy) is an award-winning theatre, film, and television actor originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Selected Chicago credits include: Measure for Measure (Chicago Shakespeare Theater); Fen, The Tragedy of Othello, The Moor of Venice and Electra (Court Theatre), The Notebooks of Leonardo Da Vinci (Goodman Theatre); Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (Lookingglass Theatre Company); Lela & Co. (Steep Theatre Company; Jeff Award, Performer in a Principal Role) and The Abuelas, Hope: Part II of a Mexican Trilogy, La Havana Madrid and i put the fear of mexico in ’em at Teatro Vista, where she serves as an Artistic Collective member and Managing Director. Regional credits include: In The Heights (Marriott Theatre) and La Havana Madrid (South Coast Repertory) Film: Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice; Rounding, Heist 88, Single Car Crashes. Television: “Fargo”, “Chicago Med”, “The Chi”, “Empire”.
MAYA LOU HLAVA (Joony) is thrilled to be making her American Blues Theater Debut. Additional Chicago credits include, Prayer for the French Republic (Northlight Theatre); Little Mermaid, Christmas Carol, Shrek, White Christmas and Bye Bye Birdie (Drury Lane Theatre); The Penelopiad (Goodman Theatre); Happy Days Are Here (Again) and Zurich (Steep Theatre); The Best Damn Thing (The Understudy Cafe); Dory Fantasmagory and Last Stop On Marketplace (YPPT/Greenhouse Theater); Spring Awakening (Porchlight Theater); Act 5, The Killing Game and The Nether (A Red Orchid Theatre); Oklahoma (Marriott Theatre); Violet (Griffin Theater); Trevor (Writers Theatre); The Secret Garden (Court Theatre); Jane Eyre (Lifeline Theatre); The Wheel (Steppenwolf Theatre); Film and Television credits include – Will Trent, The Perpetrator, Chicago Med, The Chi, and The Big Leap. Maya is represented by Stewart Talent.
FLACO NAVAJA (NYC) is thrilled to make his American Blues Theater debut. Born and raised in the Bronx, Navaja is a legendary poet, dynamic singer, seasoned actor, and film performer. As a member of HBO’s Def Poetry Jam, he toured internationally, bringing his voice to audiences around the globe. His award-winning one-man show, Evolution of a Sonero, has toured nationally to critical acclaim. A longtime collaborator of Lin-Manuel Miranda, Navaja was featured on the Warriors album and sings the theme song for the PBS Kids animated series Alma’s Way, with lyrics written by Miranda. Theatre credits include The Seven (New York Theatre Workshop), among others. His film and television appearances include Fighting, Gun Hill Road, Pride and Glory, and East Willy B. With his salsa band, The Razorblades, Navaja continues to blend spoken word, soul, salsa, and street into an unforgettable live experience.
JON HUDSON ODOM (Chabby) is a proud Artistic Affiliate of American Blues Theater. Chicago credits: The Reclamation of Madison Hemings (Jeff Award nomination for Performer) & On Clover Road (American Blues Theater); No Man’s Land, Describe the Night, The Seagull, Ms Black For President (Steppenwolf Theatre Company); Toni Stone, A Christmas Carol (Goodman Theatre); Witch (Writers Theatre) Regional: Ain’t No Mo’, An Octoroon, Botticelli in the Fire, Shipwreck (Woolly Mammoth Theatre); Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf (Denver Center for the Performing Arts); The Magic Play (Actors Theatre of Louisville); Angels in America (Round House Theatre & Olney Theatre Center) TV: “Lovecraft Country “(HBO), “Somebody Somewhere” (HBO Max), “South Side” (HBO Max), “Chicago PD” (NBC) Film: “The Year Between”, “A Savage Nature”, “Reporting for Christmas.” Five-time nominee and recipient of the Helen Hayes Awards & Jeff Award nominee. Education: University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Represented by Paonessa Talent and Kaplan Mills Entertainment.
Fact Sheet
Title: Things With Friends
Written by: Kristoffer Diaz*
Directed by: Dexter Bullard*
Featuring: Audrey Billings* (Adele), Casey Campbell* (Burt), Cruz Gonzalez-Cadel (Vy), Maya Hlava (Joony), Flaco Navaja (NYC), & Jon Hudson Odom* (Chabby).
Creative Team: Grant Sabin* (scenic), Lily Walls* (costumes & wardrobe supervisor), Levi J. Wilkins (lights), Rick Sims* (sound), Amy Peter (properties), Richard Lundy* (stage manager), Michael Trudeau* (facilities manager), Nate Walczyk* (production manager & ME), Tom Daniel* (technical director), & Chris Walls (audio supervisor).
Dates: August 22 – October 5, 2025
Schedule:
Wednesdays: 2:00 PM (Sept 10 & 17); 7:30 PM (Sept 24 only)
Thursdays: 7:30 PM
Fridays: 7:30 PM
Saturdays: (Sept 6, 20 & Oct 4 only); 7:30 PM (Aug 23, 30 & Sept 13, 27 & Oct 4)
Sundays: 2:30 PM
Location: American Blues Theater, 5627 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago
Ticket prices: Previews: $39.50; Regular Run: $49.50; Opening night with reception: $64.50
Box office: Buy online at www.americanbluestheater.com or by calling (773) 654-3103.
Public Programming and Special Events
American Blues Theater is excited to offer audiences even more ways to engage with artists, neighbors and the larger community through its two programs The Commons and @Home Accessibility Series.
The Commons features readings, live concerts, open mics, game nights, town halls and more at American Blues. The @Home Accessibility Series features readings, live concerts, and town halls from the comfort of home via Zoom. For the most up-to-date programming schedule or to purchase tickets, visit www.americanbluestheater.com. Additional programming will be announced throughout the season.
About American Blues Theater
Winner of the prestigious National Theatre Company Award from American Theatre Wing (Tony Awards). American Blues Theater is an Ensemble of artists committed to producing new and classic diverse stories that ask the question: “What does it mean to be American?”
The diverse and multi-generational artists have established the second-oldest professional Ensemble theater in Chicago. As of 2025, the theater and artists received 239 Joseph Jefferson Awards and nominations that celebrate excellence in Chicago theater and 44 Black Theatre Alliance Awards. The artists are honored with Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize nominations, Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, Emmy Awards and numerous other accolades.