The TROJAN WOMEN
From the director
Welcome to the inaugural production of Eos Theatre Company! Our mission is to shine light into the darkness of the human condition and to amplify women’s voices and stories. We have chosen Euripides’ ancient anti-war tragedy The Trojan Women because it so brilliantly does both. Written more than 2,000 years ago, the play concerns a war that happened more than 600 years before its author was born. The story of the Trojan War was ancient history for the ancient Greeks; yet some 3,000 years later, we find it uncannily relevant to the world we find ourselves surviving in 2026.
I first encountered The Trojan Women as an actress in a production I was in during my Hampshire College days. The play had a profound effect on me and has been on my mind ever since. Today, my sons ages 14 and 16, are fearful they will be drafted into yet another war in the middle east. I share their fear. As a mother, as a woman theatre director, this play feels brutally necessary to bring to the stage.
Euripides’ The Trojan Women takes place at the end of the war. Troy is burning while the city's captive women wait to be told their fate by the victorious Greeks, who penetrated the city walls hiding inside the famous Trojan horse. Euripides’ audience would have known the story, would have instantly understood that the Trojan women had seen their men butchered, temples desecrated, and the body of their greatest warrior, Hector, publicly debased in an unspeakable manner. Euripides used the women’s plight to hold a mirror up to his countrymen, who were embroiled in the Peloponnesian War, a fierce conflict that raged for 27 years. Euripides’ play challenges the Athenians to face the reality that is war; the rape, murder and humiliation which is inherent to the enterprise. The Trojan Women centers the trauma and grief of women non-combatants shattered by defeat, but Euripides also demonstrates that the victims of war include soldiers, embodied by the character Talthybius. A Greek solider ordered to guard the Trojan women prisoners facing a future of enslavement to his generals, Talthybius too is destroyed by the horrors of war.
Caroline Bird’s modern adaptation sets the play in a Trojan hospital turned prison by the Greek invaders. Her work is a fierce exploration of the complex intersections of class, gender, patriarchy and nationality. It is timely and timeless. Sometimes comical. Often absurd. Ultimately heartbreaking. We hope you find the Midwest premier of this new version of The Trojan Women illuminating, and we are so very grateful you have chosen to spend some time with us in the theatre.
– Rachel Sledd
cast
Ashway Lawver (she/her)
Morgan Lavenstein (she/her)
Ben Page (he/him)
Liliana Mastroianni (she/they)
Jazmine Mazique (she/her)
Morgan Burkey (she/her)
Marcus Castillo (he/him)
Brian Weddington (he/him)
Rachel Sledd (she/her)
Hecuba
Chorus
Talthybius
Cassandra
Andromache
Helen of Troy
Menelaus
Posideon
Athena
understudies
Nadya Bendeck
Ryan Hale
Cassandra/Helen of Troy
Menelaus
creative team
Director
Set Designer
Light Designer
Costume Designer
Sound Designer
Videographer
Consulting Editor
Stage Manager
Fight Choreographer
Technical Director
Master Electrician
Assistant Stage Managers
Rachel Sledd
Shayna Patel
Garrett Bell
Rachel Sledd
Mason Absher
Kevin Reodica
Ashway Lawver
Michael Lesko
Thomas Russell
Will Hughes
Jackson Mikkelsen
Harold Washington College Students
Cast bios
Brian Weddington (he/him) is excited to be a part of this fantastic creative team. He was last seen in Chicago stage productions of The First Breeze of Summer, The Piano Lesson, and Jitney. He earned a B.A. in Theater from University of IL at Chicago and the M.F.A. in Acting from Rutgers University. Some of his other creative works include: Episodes of NBC’s Chicago PD, Chicago Fire and Chicago Med, Barbershop 2, ABC’s One Life to Live, the National Black Arts Theater Festival production of “The People Who Could Fly”, the Kennedy Center’s theater production of “The Darker Face of the Earth” and “Thieves Carnival”, which was performed at the theater of Southwest Moscow. When he is not performing, he enjoys being a Chicago Public School Theater Arts instructor at Michele Clark High School in the Austin community.
Rachel Sledd Iannantuoni (she/her) is a co-Founder and co-Artistic Director of Eos Theatre Company. Recent acting credits: Highway Patrol (Goodman Theatre) and Junk (Milwaukee Repertory Theatre). Recent directing credits: The Trojan Women, The Pavillion, Sweat and Exit Strategy (Loop Players at Harold Washington College). Recent TV/Film credits include NBC’s Chicago Med, Chicago PD, and Bride of Frankie, which has screened at over 100 film festivals internationally and for which Rachel won Best Actress in a Short at the Sydney Indie Film Festival. Rachel earned an M.F.A. from the University of Washington’s Professional Actor Training Program in Seattle and is head of Theatre at Harold Washington College. She is represented by DDO Artists. www.rachelsledd.com
Ashway Lawver (she/her) is thrilled to play Hecuba in Eos Theatre Company’s inaugural show. As Co-Founder and Co-Artistic Director of Eos Theatre Company, finding an artistic sisterhood has been a career highlight. Chicago: The Trojan Women, The Pavilion, Sweat (The Loop Players); Murder on the Orient Express (Milwaukee Repertory Theatre); Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Lindiwe (Steppenwolf). Ashway started her stage career in NYC, highlights include performing Off-Broadway, at Radio City Music Hall and in National/International tours. She can be seen in a number of national commercials and feature/independent films; including Long Division (Roku, Tubi) and Promises (Amazon Prime). A transplant from Los Angeles, Ashway has her BA in Theatre/Dance (Wheaton College, MA) and is a graduate of the School at Steppenwolf. Ashway is a member of SAG and is represented by Shirley Hamilton Talent.
IMdb.me/AshwayLawver
Morgan Lavenstein (she/her) is so psyched to be playing Chorus in Eos Theatre’s first ever production! She hails from Baltimore, MD and is a graduate of Ithaca College and The School at Steppenwolf. Her latest plays include Top Girls (Raven Theatre), Every Brilliant Thing (Writers Theatre) , POTUS (Steppenwolf Theatre), Fen (Court Theatre), The Burdens (Urbanite Theatre), Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins (Strawdog Theatre Co.), Red Rex (Steep Theatre). Her most recent T.V. and film credits include The Lagoon, Chicago Fire, Wreckless, Chicago Med, Chicago PD, When the Leaves Fall, and American Parent. Morgan is a founder of Eos and is repped by Stewart Talent Chicago.
Ben Page (he/him) is thrilled to be working on Trojan Women. He has recently worked with The New Theatre Project’s The Shape of the Bones and Paramount Theatre’s productions of True West and A Streetcar Named Desire. He has also appeared onstage at Windy City Playhouse, Nebraska Rep, Rivendell Theatre, A Red Orchid, Jackalope and Shattered Globe. Ben is originally from Utah and, when he’s not acting, he enjoys Elvis, pancakes and the 4th of July! Special thanks to my two favorite girls, Morgan and Georgie.
Liliana Mastroianni (she/they) is thrilled to be making their Eos debut! She is a film, TV, and theater actor from Chicago. Recent credits include Judgement Day (Pilot), Showmance (Pilot), The Woodcutter and The Weaver (Broken Radiator Collective & Bicho Productions), The Moors, and Marfa Lights (Red Theater). They are a graduate of THE ACADEMY at Black Box Acting. Liliana holds a BS from Skidmore College and spent a semester at the Accademia Dell’Arte in Arezzo, Italy. She is grateful for the support of their family and friends and for the opportunity to be in this production!
Jazmine Mazique (she/her) is excited to be performing with Eos Theatre Company. She graduated from Harold Washington college in 2017, with an Associates in Science. She portrayed the attorney and psychiatrist in her first play with the school, 9 circles. She went on to play Vera Stark in By the Way, Meet Vera Stark, Harriet Tubman in Harry and the Thief, Cynthia in Sweat ,and Andromache in The Trojan Woman. After 9 circles, she went on to be cast as a Character Performer for Walt Disney World in Orlando Florida. Her favorite character she portrayed was Princess Tiana. Her most recent performance was as Lady in Orange in For Colored Girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow was enuf by Ntozake Shange with The Drama Group. Jazmine would like to thank her Gran for always supporting her and exposing her to different art forms.
Morgan Burkey (she/her) is ecstatic that The Trojan Women is finally here! She is a Chicago based actor and theatre maker having worked with Remy Bumppo, Griffin, First Folio, Writers, Passage Theatre, The Gift, Public House Theatre and Frank Farrell Productions. Morgan is a graduate of the School at Steppenwolf (2017). TV/Film: Mad Sage Productions, Columbia College Chicago, and Storm Bros., COMMERCIAL: Reel Paws and CLIF Bar. Morgan is also the co-founder of Eos Theatre Company and proudly serves as its Marketing Director, where they focus on developing our growing presence in the Chicago Theatre Community through transformative storytelling. Morgan is represented by Big Mouth Talent, and would love to thank her partner, Ben Page for his fastidious love and support, and our girl, Georgie, for her ability to comfort, challenge and give a constant round of ap”Paws”.
Marcus Castillo (he/him) is honored to be part of this inaugural production with Eos! He has performed many times with the Loop Players and Teatro Vista. He has worked at the Chopin, Victory Gardens and the Goodman theaters, among others. He sends love to all of his familia, especially Manny, Jacob, David and Juana. He dedicates his performance to Edward O’Terry Jr.
production team bios
Caroline Bird (Playwright) is a playwright and poet. Caroline began writing plays as a teenager when she was the youngest ever member of the Royal Court Young Writer’s Programme, tutored by Simon Stephens. She has been shortlisted for the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, and as Most Promising New Playwright at the Off-West-End Awards. In Spring 2022, her play Red Ellen about the life and work of Ellen Wilkinson, was produced by Northern Stage, Nottingham Playhouse and Royal Lyceum Theatre and received four-star reviews in The Guardian, The Times, Whatsonstage and The Stage. Red Ellen was shortlisted for the 2021 George Devine Award, recognising new writing and powerful voices. Caroline’s new version of The Trojan Women premiered at the Gate Theatre at the end of 2012 to wide critical acclaim. Caroline’s play Chamber Piece featured as Show 3 in the Lyric Theatre Hammersmith’s Secret Theatre season, premiering in October 2013, before touring the country. Her Beano-inspired musical, The Trial of Dennis the Menace, was performed in the Purcell Room at the Southbank Centre. Other plays: Chamber Piece (Lyric Theatre Hammersmith) and The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Northern Stage). She has had eight volumes of poetry published by Carcanet: Looking Through Letterboxes (2002); Trouble Came to the Turnip (2006); Watering Can (2009); The Hat-Stand Union (2013); In These Days of Prohibition (2017), which was shortlisted for the T.S. Eliot Prize and the Ted Hughes Award, The Air Year (2020), which won the Forward Prize for Best Collection 2020 and was shortlisted for the Costa Prize and the Polari Prize, her Selected Poems ‘Rookie,’ (2022,) and ‘Ambush at Still Lake’ (2024.) She won a Cholmondeley Award in 2023, for sustained excellence across a body of work. She was named one of the five official poets at the London Olympics 2012.
Rachel Sledd (Director, she/her) is a co-Founder and co-Artistic Director of Eos Theatre Company. Recent acting credits: Highway Patrol (Goodman Theatre – U/S) and Junk (Milwaukee Repertory Theatre). Recent directing credits: The Trojan Women, The Pavillion, Sweat and Exit Strategy (Loop Players at Harold Washington College). TV/Film credits include NBC's Chicago Med, Chicago PD, and Bride of Frankie, which has screened at over 100 film festivals internationally and for which Rachel won Best Actress in a Short at the Sydney Indie Film Festival. Rachel earned an M.F.A. from the University of Washington’s Professional Actor Training Program in Seattle and is head of Theatre at Harold Washington College. She is represented by DDO Artists. www.rachelsledd.com
Garrett Bell (Lighting Designer, he/him) is an award-winning Lighting and Scenic Designer based out of Chicago, and a lecturer at the University of Chicago and the City Colleges of Chicago. Some of his recent Lighting Design credits include The Posthumous Trial of Giulia Tofana (Larkspur Productions), The Official Biography (Scenic, Her Story Theatre),Black Bone (Definition Theatre, world premiere), Queen for a Day (Hell in a Handbag), Coronation (world premiere, Joseph Jefferson award) and A Play About David Mamet Writing a Play About Harvey Weinstein (Refracted Theatre Company), Tecumseh! (The Scioto Society), The Outgoing Tide (Buffalo Theatre Ensemble), and Heisenberg (Lighting & Scenic, Griffin Theatre). More of his work can be seen at garrettmbell.com
Shayna Patel (Scenic Designer, she/her) is a scenic designer based in Chicago. Her credits include Mainstage 114, E.T.C 50, The Chaos Theory of Everything, Judy’s Beat Lounge, Oh The Places You’ll Glow and The Best Kept Secret: Tell Everyone! (The Second City), Come Back Little Sheba, Misery and Golden Leaf Ragtime Blues (American Blues Theatre), The Kid at The Edge of Everything (COCA- St Louis), A View From The Bridge (Shattered Globe), Last Stop on Market Street, Junie B. Jones and Dory Fantasmagory (Young People’s Theatre Chicago), Las Borinqueñas, Jocey Y Las Mariachis, That Must Be The Entrance To Heaven, and Sancocho (Vision Latino Theatre Company), National Merit (Boho Theatre Company), and Subaru Forester Exhibition (Chicago Auto Show & New York International Auto Show 2024). shaynadesigns.com
Mason Absher (Sound Designer, he/they) is a theatre artist, designer, and performer who completed an MFA in Theatrical Design and Acting from Randolph College in January 2026. He works across sound design, scenic design, and performance, creating theatrical environments that support emotionally driven storytelling. They are particularly interested in how sound can shape atmosphere, rhythm, and audience experience in both classical and contemporary work. Mason has collaborated on productions ranging from classical theatre to new works and devised performance. He is grateful to the Eos Theatre team for the opportunity to help shape the sonic world of The Trojan Women.
Michael Lesko (Stage Manager, he/him) is very delighted to be a part of Eos Theatre Company’s premiere show The Trojan Women. His previous credits include Loop Players productions of Ike Holter’s Exit Strategy, Lynn Nottage’s Sweat, and Stage Wright productions of Stephen Karam’s The Humans, Jacob Richmond’s & Brooke Maxwell’s Ride The Cyclone, and Keythe Farley’s & Brian Flemming’s Batboy the Musical. He would like to thank Eos Theatre and his friends and family for their unwavering support.
Andersonville Scenic Studios (Technical Direction) is a custom fabrication shop that has been working with theaters across the Chicagoland area since 2019 to produce professional, high-quality scenery. Visit www.andersonvillescenicstudios.com for more information!
Jackson Mikkelsen (Master Electrician, he/him)is based in Chicago and a 2023 graduate of CCPA/Roosevelt. He’s a full-time freelance theatre artist, working as an actor, lighting designer, electrician, and production manager. Catch him hanging lights and singing 'lil diddies in a storefront theatre near you. Love to Brian! www.jacksonmikkelsen.com
Kevin Reodica (Filmmaker, he/him) is a Chicago-based filmmaker specializing in documentary-style storytelling. Through visually driven narratives, he captures stories of people, craft, and culture with the goal of creating work that is both inspiring and thought-provoking. View more of his work at www.kevinreodica.com.
Featured Sponsor
Thank you to "Simon's Tavern" for their generous donation to Eos Theatre Company.
"The Anchor of Andersonville"
Free Live Music Almost Every Sunday!
Located at 5210 N Clark St.
See you after the show for a drink
Individual Donors
Daniel Arcana, David Bell, Clarence and Delphine Bisson, Lisa Bulthuis, Mary Frances Bushman, Patrese Calheiros, Irina Cantez, Jim Corti, Jacob Cox, Frederick Dunson, Cathy and Mike Giacobe, Tony Giampetruzzi, Olga Gilman, Carrie Goodman, P. Seth Greer, Sarah Hammer, Beth Herndobler, Tim Hopper, Jennifer Thompson Huffman, Kiera Iannantuoni, The Spinach Inquisition, Amity Moore Joyce, Joann Joyce, Heba Kamel, Jamil Khoury, Maureen Kreuser, Katherine Lacroix, Taryn LaFlamme, Alex Langmesser, Diane Lavenstein, Maddie Madding, Dave and Megan Malay, Maria Maras, Peter Moore, Catherine Moss, John and Judith Mraz, Ann and Ernie Page, Sybil Park, Michael and Darlene Pierson, Elisabeth Page Pinsonneault, Sima Pollack, Michael Prochelo, Claire Ragen, Tom and Donna Ray, Charlotte M. Rusnak, Marcus Saenz, Jimena Sayavedra, AJ Schwartz, Jillian Seely, Sunny Serres, Andrew Sledd, Virginia Smiley, Rachel and Taylor Sullivan, Walid Tamari, Mitchell and Sarah Thomas, Caroline Toth, Robin Tritto, Kimberley Valkenburg, Robert Veasey, Genevieve VenJohnson, Sarah Webster, Margaret Wright, Robin Wright, Anonymous
Special Thanks
Dave Bisson, Beacon Bowman, Scott Buechler, Irina Cantez, Matt Cardoni, JC Clementz, Phil Cooke, Marcos DeCampos Silva, Cait DeLaMar, Julia Farrell Diefenbach, Brenna Distasio, Jeni Emery, Olga Gilman, Heidi Henning and Doug Mraz, Jackson Iannantuoni, Johnny Iannantuoni, Rocco Iannantuoni, Margaret Jones, Jessica Kann, Stu Kiesow, Tim Lacey, Diane Lavenstein, Lisa Barrientes Joyce, Ali Martin, Suzanne Martin, Iliana Martin, Paul Michael Thomson, Caroline Neff, Jesus Padilla, Ben Page, Beasley Phillips, Rosa Reinemann, Leah Reinhart, Collin Quinn Rice, Dustin Rothbart, Franky Sandoval, Ryan Scheler, Rebecca Schliff, Shawna, Eric, and Ziggy Schoonveld, Sandy Shiner, Steve Townsend, Robert Veasey, Michael Young, Andersonville Chamber of Commerce, League of Chicago Theatres, Whiskey Girl Tavern
Eos Theatre Board Members
Suzanne Martin has spent her professional career building businesses and brand experiences as a chief marketing executive in telecom and software markets. Suzanne is also driven by her love of the arts physical, musical and theatrical. She is honored to humbly offer her talents to Eos Theatre Company to grow its awareness and influence. Their purpose is powerful, and Suzanne is pleased to bring her passion to shining a bright light on it for all to experience.
Irina Cantez Irina brings 25 years of experience in business strategy, operations, and partnerships from her career at Deloitte Consulting and across leading biotech, medical, and consumer goods organizations. She is currently a startup founder building an AI-assisted platform focused on human connection and teams. Having lived in seven countries and speaking five languages, Irina is passionate about supporting women, diversity, and strengthening multicultural community across Chicagoland.
JC Clementz is the Director of Casting and Artistic Operations at Steppenwolf Theatre Company and a theatrical stage director. He has cast productions out of Chicago and New York over the past decade including the world premiere, Pulitzer- and Tony-winning production of Purpose by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins. Other Broadway credits: Bug, Little Bear Ridge Road, Linda Vista, Pass Over, and The Minutes. As a director his credits include the Associate Director for the out-of-town tryout of The Devil Wears Prada: A New Musical (Broadway in Chicago) with music by Elton John, Director of The Nerd, The All Night Strut!, Murder for Two, Irving Berlin’s I Love a Piano, The Devil’s Music: The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith, The Doyle & Debbie Show, Forever Plaid (Milwaukee Rep), Waiting: A Song Cycle (The World’s Stage/Cherry Lane, NYC), and Murder for Two (Merrimack Rep). He holds an MFA in Directing from Western Illinois University, and is a proud member of SDC and the Casting Society.
Heidi Henning: After spending 30+ years overseeing education programs, events, and experiences across the globe for members of the National Association of Realtors®, Heidi is thrilled to be able to focus on two passions, the arts and travel. She resides in Andersonville with her husband and black lab, Jett (as in Joan). LinkedIn
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