THE CAUCASIAN CHALK CIRCLE is a parable inspired by the Chinese play CHALK CIRCLE. Written by Bertolt Brecht at the close of World War II, the story is set in the Caucasus Mountains of Georgia, and retells the tale of an abandoned child whose custody is contested by his caretaker and his biological mother. In this production, a group of modern-day actors come together with real questions about justice, what is fair, and how to do right when it seems impossible. They present Brecht’s version of an ancient Chinese story with an original pop rock score to breathe new life into these questions.
The Caucasian Chalk Circle
Written by Bertolt Brecht. Translated by Alistair Beaton
Directed by Nick O'Leary
November 2 - 10, 2024
Preview October 31, 7:30 pm (October 29 preview Cancelled)
Meany Hall - Studio
Run Time: 2 hours and 30 minutes inclusive of a 10-minute intermission.
Content & Production Warnings:
The production incorporates offensive language and depictions of sexual assault. It also contains the use of atmospheric effects.
Watch our studio directions video to find your way to Meany Theatre Studio easily!
Artists
| Singer, ensemble | Yeonshin Kim* |
| Grusha, ensemble | Marena Kleinpeter* |
| Azdak, ensemble | Jerik Fernandez* |
| Simon, The Inn Keeper, ensemble | Minki Bai* |
| The Governor, Shauva, ensemble | Sebastian Wang* |
| The Adjutant, Lavrenti, Ludovica, ensemble | Taylor McWilliams-Woods* |
| The Governor’s Wife, The Sergeant, ensemble | Adriana Gonzales* |
| Prince Kazbeki, Jussup’s Mother, ensemble | Betzabeth Gonzalez* |
| Maro, ensemble | Priya Hendry˚ |
| The Grand Duke, ensemble | Finn Jordan˚ |
| Aniko, ensemble | Tess Raz˚ |
| The Architects, ensemble | Kyler Simons˚ |
| Jussup, ensemble | Charlie Stebbins˚ |
| Musicians | Kyle Levien, Yuelan, Josh Valdez |
| Azdak/Grusha Understudy | Tatyana Emery |
| Ensemble Understudy | Samantha Grossman˚ |
| Ensemble Understudy | Joo Kim˚ |
| Director | Nick O'Leary* |
| Co-Composers | Kyle Levien, Yuelan |
| Scenic Design | Duma Du* |
| Costume Design | Xiaoyan Yu* |
| Lighting Design | Peter Maradudin |
| Sound Design | Alex Parr˚ |
| Puppet Design | Sara Walsh† |
| Live Video Design | Porter Lance* |
| Stage Manager | Andy Raymond-Lee |
| Fight and Intimacy Choreographer: | Ian Bond |
Creative Support
|
Associate Costume Designer |
An-lin Dauber† |
|
Assistant Set Designers |
Jordan Cohen˚, Porter Lance* |
|
Assistant Costume Design |
Evie Hawkins* |
|
Assistant Lighting Design |
Marley Keith* |
|
Sound Mixer |
Finley Brown˚ |
|
Assistant Stage Managers |
Samantha Grossman˚, Joo Kim˚, Samantha Tomberlin˚ |
|
Vocal Coach |
Scott Hafso†** |
|
Dramaturg |
Rachael Herren* |
|
Video Consultant |
Jeff Larson† |
|
Graphic Designer |
Chad Kent |
|
Photographer |
Christine Mitchell |
˚ Undergraduate student at UW
*Graduate student at UW
†School of Drama faculty/staff member
**School of Drama alum