PAST WORK
The Mixtape New Works Festival Vol. 2
May 2026
Three new musicals and one play with music, all by Chicago writers, were workshopped over the course of seven rehearsals and then presented as concert readings throughout the month of May.
SELECTIONS
CODE by Brandon Jackson Baird
Ikkan and the Sunweaver by Bennett Petersen, with music by Samuel Perlman
Heel Turn by Eric Matthew Richardson
The Incredible and Definitely True Tale of Franz Mesmer by Rachel Chin and Sammy Grob
Finalists
I'm With the Band by Fred Pelzer and Ben Kaye
Hellmouth by Joe Zarrow
BIT BOP BANG: A 48 HOUR MUSICAL THEATRE EVENT
Producer: Skylar Grieco
Associate Producer: Ali Foley
Stage Manager: Naava Ofri-Akman
Photos: Alex Albrecht
Candie
Book by DC Cathro
Music and Lyrics by Jack Morsovillo
Directed by Maya Paletta
Featuring Travis Shanahan, Nathan Dale Short, Avery Lareau, Levi Denton-Hughes, and Ava Pirie
The Ones You Know
Devised and performed by Adam Qutaishat, Courtney Rikki Green, Carisa Gonzalez, and Nicholas Druzbanski
The Wake of Lucy Mae Watkins
Book and Lyrics by Elijah Cox
Music by Mo Braithwaite
Directed by Seth Roseman
Featuring Kaci Deakins, Sissy Anne Quaranta, Trent Lunsford, Stephanie Kilper, and Jacob Pettyjohn
Welcome to the Lost and Found
Book by Anthony Whitaker
Music and lyrics by Joey Harbert
Directed by Jamal Howard
Featuring Kelly Combs, Anne Marie McGinley, Peter Ruger, Matt Flors, and Anna Gallucci
You Will Miss the Bus
Book by Cayla Joy and Cora Large
Music and Lyrics by Jaclyn Yee and Stella Solveig
Directed by Katherin "Kat" Poon
Featuring Cora Large, Hope Valls, Micah Mabey, and Graham Cole
Time Transfixed
Book and additional lyrics by Jocelyn Housely
Music and Lyrics by Jack Foley
Directed by Allison Petrillo
Featuring Manuela Alvarez Marquez, Brian Pember, Olivia Wheeler, and Mitch Karnis
The Seagull
By Anton Chekhov
Director: Skylar Grieco
Cast: Ruby Gibson, Levi Denton-Hughes, Jennifer Mohr, Ian Rigg, Sarah Cushman, Jack Morsovillo, DC Cathro
Music Director: Jack Morsovillo
Stage Manager: Deanna Oglesby
Intimacy Director: Ali Foley
Costume Designer: Parrish Davis-Sauls
Props Designer: Logan Smart
Photos: Molly Menuck
The Mixtape New Play Festival Vol.1
Checkerboard Chicks by Allison Fradkin
Friendsgiving The Musical by Kolin Lawler
She Had it Coming by Keelyn McDermott
Cast: Amanda Payne, Sarah Cushman, Josiah Robinson,
Allison Schaufler, Jay Mullens, Stella Childs, Nate Hall
Director: Skylar Grieco
Music Director: Jack Foley