The Factory Theater, 1623 W. Howard St., is proud to announce the cast and creative team for The Sporting Life, October 10 - November 22, written by Marjorie Muller and directed by Kayla Menz. Previews are Friday, Oct. 10, and Saturday, Oct. 11 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 12 at 3 p.m. The press opening is Friday, Oct. 17 at 7:30 p.m. The regular performance schedule, Friday, October 17 - Sunday, Nov. 22 is Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 3 p.m. There will be two additional Thursday performances November 13 and 20 at 8 p.m. An accessibility performance will occur on Sunday, Nov. 2. The Tickets are $10 - $30 and may be purchased through the box office by calling 312-275-5757 or by visiting TheFactoryTheater.com.
16-year-old Dot still hasn’t gotten her period. Lucky for her, there’s a Witch in the woods who can get it started. However, in exchange, Dot must offer her the life of a man who has wronged her. And who better to offer than a math teacher? When Dot gets her elusive first period and becomes witness to the Witch’s murder, they become bonded in literal blood, sending Dot down a path of self-understanding, bitterness, and perhaps a little bit of violence too (as a treat). The Sporting Life is a “coming of rage” story brutally snapped open to expose the, sometimes literal, entrails of growing up girl.
The Sporting Life was a semi-finalist at the 2024 Epiphanies New Work Festival and National Playwrights Conference. It received an honorable mention for the 2024 Relentless Award and was a finalist in the 2024 Henley Rose Playwright Competition.
The cast of The Sporting Life features Ziare Paul-Emile (she/her, Dot); Elizabeth Macdougald (she/her, Sherry); Tyara Whitted (she/they, Mikayla); Bryan Breau (he/him, Joe); Ian Mason (he/they, Younger Man); Bill Daniel (he/him, Older Man); Amanda Elena de la Fuente (she/her, US Dot/Mikayla); Kelsey Cally (she/her, US Sherry); Zach Kunde (he/him, US Joe/Older Man) and George Petermeier (he/him, US Younger Man).
Top Row (L to R): Ziare Paul-Emile, Elizabeth Macdougald, Tyara Whitted, Bryan Breau and Ian Mason.
Bottom Row (L to R): Bill Daniel, Amanda Elena De La Fuente, Kelsey Cally, Zach Kunde and George Petermeier
The creative team includes Kayla Menz (she/they, director); Sonia Goldberg (she/they, asst. director); Shane Hogan (they/them stage manager); Jimena Ramirez (she/her, asst. stage manager); Becca Schwartz (any pronouns, fight director); Kate Booth (she/her, asst. Fight director); Emily Antoff (she/her, intimacy director); Ramona Rotten (she/her, scenic design); Emmitt Socey (they/them, lighting design); Gina Montalvo (she/they, sound design); Anna Rogers (she/her, costume design and special effects); Evy Burch (they/she, props design); Morgan Watkinson (she/her, master electrician); Anthony Doyle (he/him, technical director); Julie Puckett (she/her, poster).
ABOUT MARJORIE MULLER, playwright
Marjorie Muller writes plays about bodies. Muller's work has appeared at Urbanite Theatre, The Women’s Theatre Festival, Avalanche Theatre, and Northwestern University (among others). Muller is an alum of the acting program at the Theatre School at DePaul, Jackalope Theatre Playwright’s Lab, and New Coordinates’ Writers Room. She is a member of the Under Construction 3 cohort at The Road Theatre with whom she developed The Sporting Life, a play inspired by the Diamanda Galas album of the same name.
ABOUT KALYA MENZ, director
Kayla Menz (she/they) is a multidisciplinary theatre artist who primarily focuses in directing and intimacy directing. Menz is excited by new work and the workshop process, which focuses on bringing a new script to life. Recent directing credits include The Meaningful Action Theatre Company Presents A Workshop Reading Of “Muffed: A Recounting Of Farmington, Maine’s 43rd Annual Chester Greenwood Day Devised By The Members Of The Meaningful Action Theatre Company (3Bros), Lavinia Andronicus is YOUR Spin Instructor (Meat Machine) and Lincoln Lincoln Lincoln Lincoln (Impostors). Regional assistant directing credits include Dobama Theatre and Capital Stage Company. They co-founded Unheard Of Company in Chicago which specializes in bringing historically marginalized voices to the stage through the workshop and production of deeply personal new work. She directed their productions of ILY and A Hungover Confessional.
ABOUT THE FACTORY THEATER
For 30 years, The Factory has created its shows from scratch, doing exactly the kind of theater they wanted to do. From writing workshops to the closing night bash, Factory shows are a unique experience that fits its exacting standards: original, bold, and full-tilt. Its shameless ensemble serves as an ambassador of a good time, ensuring Chicago remains heartily entertained.