Filament Theatre (4041 N Milwaukee Ave), Chicago’s award-winning theater for young audiences on the northwest side, is delighted to premiere the North American production of RAIN: for babies and their carers. This internationally acclaimed sensory performance installation provides a space that welcomes babies to the world and celebrates new lives. The experience will run at Filament Theatre January 6-18, 2026. Tickets for RAIN range from $15-30 and can be found online by following this LINK.
RAIN is crafted specifically for newborns to crawling babies and their caretakers. A trio of performers on cello, voice, and movement act as gentle guides as adult carers and their littlest ones are immersed in an intimate, mindful installation space full of surprise and delight, with opportunities for connection through music and sensory exploration. Audiences are invited to experience the wonder and generosity of rain and explore together water's elemental connection between parent and child. To learn more about RAIN, follow this LINK.
Since its creation in 2013, RAIN has toured to festivals and major performing arts centres across Australia and internationally in sold-out seasons.
“We are honored to work alongside Threshold Australia to steward this thoughtful work of art to Chicago and North American audiences. The purpose of RAIN—giving families with new babies a space to autonomously relax, explore, and be curious—perfectly aligns with Filament’s values and the care we want to share with our audiences,” shares Producing Artistic Director, Reji Simon. “During the challenging and often isolating post-partum months, RAIN offers a space of community and reminds families to slow down to enjoy the precious moments of right now.”
RAIN: for babies and their carers has been specifically designed for newborn to crawling babies (by developmental stage). Although children outside of this designated range will not be able to join in person, older siblings and loved ones of participants can join in extending the RAIN experience through Glow, an at-home digital companion to RAIN. From creating a bath-time ritual, to a poetic reflection over a cup of tea or throwing a baby dance party, Glow’s diverse suite of experiences holds space for deeper connection. Glow is a great option for carers who wish to experience art and connection from home, as well as engagement with the rest of the family outside of RAIN’s age requirements. Audiences that attend RAIN will automatically receive access to Glow, its digital companion. To register for access to Glow, follow this LINK.
Both RAIN and Glow have been created by Australian theatre makers, art therapists and visual artists - who have been working with Filament’s extraordinary artists for over 12 months to bring both of these experiences to Chicago families.
RAIN: for babies and their carers
Dates: January 6-18, 2025
Previews: January 6-8
Opening performance: January 10
Performance Times: Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 9AM, Saturdays at 9AM & 11AM / Sundays at 11AM & 2PM
Run time: 45 minutes
Age Requirements: Newborn babies in arms and crawlers
Cost: $15-30
RAIN North American performance team (dual cast):
Ellie Levine, Director
Alexandra Plattos Sulack, Performer/Facilitator
Ariya Hawkins, Performer/Facilitator
Caroline Watson, Performer/Facilitator
Lucía Mier y Terán Romero, Performer/Facilitator
Roxanne Fritton, Cellist/Facilitator
Sonia Goldberg, Cellist/Facilitator
ARTIST BIOS
Roxanne Fritton is a cellist and collaborator working at the intersection of music, storytelling, and lived experience. Based in Chicago, she performs in chamber ensembles, new music projects, and theatrical productions that invite audiences into immersive soundscapes. She is a member of the Chicago Composers Orchestra, where she helps bring contemporary works of living composers to life. Outside of performing, Roxanne is a therapist and a mom—roles that deepen her connection to this production’s themes of early life and care. She loves being part of a production that reflects the wonder of early life and is grateful for the chance to help shape a sound world rooted in beginnings, growth, and connection at Filament Theatre.
Sonia Goldberg is a Jeff-nominated performer, writer, educator and a proud Chicago native. She has previously collaborated with Filament Theatre as an actor, teaching artist, and had the honor of writing Think Fast, Jordan Chase! which had its World Premiere at Filament Theatre in 2023. Sonia frequently performs with Kokandy Productions, including Amélie, American Psycho (Jeff Award - Best Production) and Into the Woods (Jeff Award - Best Production & Best Ensemble). In Chicago, Sonia has also performed at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Northlight Theatre, Chicago Children’s Theatre, Oak Park Festival Theatre, Music Theater Works, Theo, and more, and she has also toured with Montana Shakespeare in the Parks. She is the Education Programs Coordinator at Court Theatre, and is a teaching artist with Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Goodman Theatre, and Playmakers Lab, where she is a company member. They’ve studied at Butler University, LAMDA, and The Moscow Art Theatre School. Sonia is represented by Grossman & Jack Talent. @soniagoldberg www.soniagoldberg.com
Ariya Hawkins is an actor, multidisciplinary artist and educator, born and raised on Chicago’s West Side. Hawkins is a graduate of both ChiArts and Millikin University, where she earned her BFA in Musical Theatre. She has been nominated for a Black Excellence Award for Outstanding Achievement in Theatre and was most recently seen in the Jeff-nominated production of The Color Purple at The Goodman Theatre. In Chicago, she has also performed with Lifeline Theatre, MPAACT, Northwestern University, Outer Loop Theater Experience, Artemisia Theatre, and PrideArts; and regionally, with Olney Theatre Center, National Players, The Studio Theatre at Tierra Del Sol, and Canterbury Summer Theatre. Ariya is thrilled to be making her Filament debut with RAIN, and sharing this experience with babies and families all over Chicago. Ariya is represented by Stewart Talent. ariyahawkins.com
Lucía mier y Terán Romero, born and raised in Mexico City, is a singer, performer, and interdisciplinary artist based in Chicago. She is very excited to continue to collaborate with Filament Theatre in their incredible work creating spaces for young ones. She holds an undergraduate degree in music (voice) from UNAM and an MA in Interdisciplinary Arts from Columbia College Chicago. She is also a Spanish teacher and loves to share her language and culture. In Chicago, she has performed with The Newberry Consort, Third Eye Theater Ensemble, Walkabout Theater, Erica Mott Productions, Rough House, Filament Theatre, Theater Unspeakable and Goodman Theater. luciamieryteranromero.squarespace.com
Alexandra Plattos Sulack is an award-winning performer, singer, teacher, and coach based in Chicago. She makes a habit of collaborating across genres and disciplines to create new works with music (Thompson Street Opera Company), puppetry (Forte Chicago, Cabinet of Curiosity), movement (Music for Theatre Chicago), and circus (Opera on Tap Chicago), and she has been known to bring additional layers of fun and excitement to each performance. Alexandra runs a private voice and artist development studio working with students across the United States. @singingsulack www.alexandraplattos.com
Caroline M. Watson is a Chicago-based theatre artist, poet, and educator. She was born and raised in Texas and is a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation. Caroline serves as Filament Theatre’s Associate Director of Engagement, as well being a performer and teaching artist. At Filament, she has appeared in The Secret Yes, Forts and Gather. Caroline has devised new work and toured nationally, performing at venues such as The Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, and The Arden as a company member with Theater Unspeakable. When she isn’t acting or teaching, Caroline is the producer and host of Grandma’s House, an award-winning monthly poetry show and open mic. Above all, Caroline has a passion for creating spaces for artists, young and old, to find their voices and thrive.
The RAIN North American producing team includes: Rejinal Simon (Filament’s Artistic Director), Krissi Ann McEachern (Filament’s Managing Director), Julia Stemper (Filament’s Assoc. Director of Advancement), Caroline Watson (Filament’s Assoc. Director of Engagement and Performer), Tahli Corrin (Co-Director of Threshold) and Sarah Lockwood (Co-Director of Threshold).
The RAIN North American production and design team includes: Erik Tylkowski (Production Manager), Olivia Zapatar (Stage Manager), Ellie Humphrys (Assoc. Lighting Designer), Emily Brink, (Assoc. Costume Designer & Installation Artist) and Molly Bunder (Audience Engagement Designer).
Since its creation in 2013, RAIN’s touring schedule has included Hong Kong International Arts Carnival, Macao Cultural Centre, Lincoln Center NYC, Out of the Box Festival Brisbane, AWESOME Festival Perth, Sydney Opera House, Bunjil Place and Arts Centre Melbourne.
The production was created by: Liz Francis, Mardi Thorpe, Alicia Stafford, Carolyn Ramsey, Nikita Hederics, Sarah Lockwood and Edwina Cordingley.
ABOUT THRESHOLD:
Threshold creates experiences that invite people to connect more deeply with each other. From audio theatre to analogue treasure hunts and intergenerational play times, Threshold's adventures have been presented at venues and festivals across the world, featured in the NY Times and translated into Mandarin. Collaborating with world-class artists, including visual and installation artists, art therapists, composers, sound designers, and digital gurus, Threshold is curious about the way that technology and digital prompts can nourish real-world connections.
As a regional company, based on the unceded lands of the Taungurung people, they are passionate advocates for the way that digital experiences can reach new audiences and reduce some of the access barriers to cultural events.
In addition to their innovative digital offerings, Threshold develops hybrid experiences and exhibitions such as 'The Flying Canoe', 'Glow Lounge' and ‘Rainhouse’ that draw together the rich sonic worlds from their digital experiences with interactive and immersive installations.
ABOUT FILAMENT THEATRE:
Filament Theatre, on Chicago’s Northwest Side, has been creating innovative theater for young audiences since 2007, serving thousands of families annually, often at no cost, through theatre programming, camps, school residencies, and classes. The mission of Filament Theatre is to create a more equitable society by celebrating and amplifying the perspectives and experiences of young people through the performing arts. Creating immersive and site-specific theatre that inspires, empowers, and activates young people and their communities, Filament’s unique production process welcomes young people into the room as essential collaborators. Filament imagines a world where young people are the experts and adults are the allies working to build a more just world for all. As the only theatre of its kind in Chicago, Filament is a vital home for innovative artists and young people finding and using their power through the performing arts. Awards: TYA Artistic Innovation Award - FORTS: Build Your Own Adventure (2025), Chicago Tribune Best Off-Loop Theatre (2016), Illinois Theatre Association Award of Excellence in Theatre for Young Audiences (2020), Bayless Family Foundation Stepping Stone Grant Recipient (2022).