LITTLE CARL
working from an original script by Michael Montenegro
with a prologue and epilogue by Marvin Tate
July 20th - August 4th, 2024
Saturdays at 3pm and 7pm
Sundays at 3pm
3611 W. Cermak
Little Carl is timeless magic. With a multi-generational cast it offers a transformative performance about the epidemic of gun violence (fascism) run rampant in America; it does so by hailing and reminding the audience that it too has magic - the timeless ability to change - and it brings a sense of purpose, wonder and vigor to the traumas of an all too common violent world.
Theatre Y presents this work of puppet theater developed with youth from Chicago’s West side, North Lawndale local Marvin Tate, puppetry artisan Michael Montenegro, and the Firehouse Community Arts Center. With an extraordinary set of tools and support from veteran masters of their craft, the Theatre Y Youth Ensemble have steered the project, creating each aspect of the vision.
Theatre Y is a Chicago-based international incubator that creates connections between diverse artists seeking mutual growth through collaboration since 2006.
The show has been performed in the Physical Festival in Chicago, at the Biograph Theater as part of the Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival, at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, and The Firehouse Community Arts Center.
Youth Ensemble
Richard Bonds
Christopher Bonds
Roesha Townsel
Braniah Townsel
Adult Ensemble
Nadia Pillay
Terreon Collins
Michael Montenegro - Playwright/Director/ Puppet maker
Marvin Tate – Featured Artist
Melissa Lorraine - Artistic Director / Assistant Director
Emily Bragg – Production Assistant
Bios
Michael Montenegro - Playwright/Co-Director/ Puppet maker (he/him): it has been such an honor and a privilege to work with these young people with enormous emerging talent and with Theatre Y, a very courageous and compassionate group of artists.
He is artistic director of Theatre Zarko which has presented for Chicago audiences original puppet theater plays such as: He Who, Haff (The Man), Sublime Beauty of Hands, Klown Kantos, and Iktu Blas.
For over thirty years, puppet artist Michael Montenegro has been developing his unique style of puppet and mask theater in the Chicago community both as a solo artist and as a collaborator with different theater groups. Commissioned projects include: Argonautica with Lookingglass Theatre, directed by Mary Zimmerman, The War With the Newts and The Long Christmas Ride Home with Next Theatre , and The Puppetmaster of Lodz with Writer’s Theatre which garnered a Jeff Award for Puppet Design. In addition to Little Carl, he has created a film entitled Apparaticus in collaboration with Theatre Y.
Marvin Tate – Featured Artist (he/him): is a Chicago Legend and Renaissance man, born and raised in North Lawndale, known locally, nationally, and internationally for his contribution to poetry, spoken word, visual art, and experimental music. Tate is Theater Y’s first Artist in Residence. His poems, songs, and performances have been heard/seen on NPR and BBC Radio, Def-Jam Poetry, the Berlin Jazz Festival, Vision Fest (NYC and Philadelphia), Amsterdam, Paris, and London. Tate's latest output, 'Marvin Tate's D-settlement' is a 3-Box Set vinyl record collection on American Dream Records that chronicles the bands music from 1997-03. The Boxset was voted the 'Best of' in the New York Times, WIRE, Magazine, and Band camp.
Melissa Lorraine - Co-Director (she/her): Theatre Y Co-Founding Artistic Director - Born in France, graduating from Northern Illinois University with a B.F.A. in acting, Lorraine became a company member of Studio K in Budapest, Hungary. Co-founding Theatre Y with now deceased Director Christopher Markle. Premiered the English language version of Transylvanian writer András Visky’s JULIET with over two hundred performances worldwide. Starred in Visky’s I KILLED MY MOTHER, earning a Chicago’s Best Actress Orgie Award. Lauded by The Chicago Reader for turning even an “overwritten” and “implausible script” into “probing, harrowing, hallucinogenic truth,” for her Directorial work on VINCENT RIVER. In 2013 Lorraine directed the world premiere of THE BINDING, a collaboration between Theatre Y and two acclaimed Serbian/Hungarian choreographers, which was a cover feature of the Chicago Reader. Collaborating with Georges Bigot for one year (2015-16), Lorraine developed the Theatre Y Ensemble of 12 actors, according to the traditions of the Theatre du Soleil. She now leads this ensemble to discover a common language and a new way to work, searching for a way to make theater without the “dictator”. In 2018 she began to research Movement Therapy for Trauma Rehabilitation, and works with men serving life sentences at Stateville Correctional Center towards reinstating parole in Illinois.
Emily Bragg – Production Assistant (she/her): has been a company member of Theatre Y since 2019 and recently became the Theatre Y’s Managing Director. She is excited to remount Little Carl at the Physical Theater Festival and wants to thank the festival and the wonderful team that collaborated to make this production possible.
Richard Bonds - Youth Ensemble (he/his): Richard wants you to know two things: One is that he is nice and the other is that he likes meeting new people. Enjoy!
Braniah Townsel (Niah)- Youth Ensemble (she/her) : most recently performed as Doro in Theatre Y’s The Wiz Walk. Niah is now a freshman in high school. She currently goes to Chicago Tech Academy. Niah is looking forward to becoming a professional actress because of her experience with Theatre Y. Niah is very excited to pursue her career choice. Niah’s goal is to be a professional actress by her mid 20’s. Niah’s first performance was in the spring of 2023. She was nervous to take the stage for the first time at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater but she bravely overcame her fear and got a lot of compliments from the audience that inspired her to keep performing. Niah loves to write poetry and is looking forward to continuing to work with Theatre Y to better develop her acting skills.
Roesha Townsel – Youth Ensemble (They/Them): Has been a part of Theatre Y for a little over a year now. They enjoy acting as they get to express themselves in a more powerful way than they ever have before. They were also a part of Theatre Y’s walking play Laughing Song during the summer of 2022. They also love dancing and crafting.
Nadia Pillay - Adult Ensemble (she/her): Nadia Pillay is a Chicago-based actress and company member with Theatre Y. Nadia made her Co-Directing debut, in The Wiz Walk Camino. She was last seen as the Wicked Witch in the Wiz Walk as well as Jeff Recommended production of We Are Proud to Present. Nadia is a company member of MPAACT Theatre, and Proboscis Theatre, and serves as Artist Liaison for Color Me Africa Fine Arts.
Christopher Bonds - Youth Ensemble (he/his): Is excited to be in Little Carl again. He likes playing games and hanging out with his stuffed animal, Chip. He would like to thank his family, especially his brother Richard, for always being there for him.
Terreon Collins – Adult Ensemble (He/Him): is a new addition to Theatre Y. Considering he’s only been acting for a year, he is already Jeff nominated for his first on stage production of Theatre Y’s We Are Proud to Present… He comes from the North Lawndale community in Chicago where he’s self-taught in many talents including his acting.
Fred Jackson Jr. - Musician (he/him): In 2010 he became a member of AACM. Also around this time he went to Poznań, Poland on a “Made in Chicago” tour. This would be his first time traveling to Germany was with the AACM New Generations ensemble (under the direction of Ben Lamar Gaye). He was in the first inaugural band of “The Bridge” that played at the MCA in 2010. Since then because of the the Bridge he has been to France many times. (he also toured France in 2017 with that same ensemble from the “Bridge”). He went back to school in 2012 - 14 and received his Masters in Jazz studies from DePaul where he studied with Mark Colby, Dana Hall, Dr Robert Lark, Tom Matta (composition) and many other professors. He has always been a student of music. He studied extensively the music of the African diaspora for ten years, mainly the North and west regions. Magic Carpet allowed him the opportunity to study music from all over the world. He had the honor of performing with some of Ethiopia’s finest vocalist and musicians. Abonesh Sedinew, Tigist, Teddy Akililu and many others. He also performed and studied the music of the Middle East. Chicago has allowed him to play all types of music from House, Funk, Jazz, Reggae, and many other genres.
In 2020-21, he was awarded the “Fresh Works, New Voices” grant from the Jazz Institute of Chicago allowing him the opportunity to record his latest album of original compositions, Genre. This grant also gave him the opportunity to study with Chicago born saxophonist Steve Coleman, and document many interviews of musicians.
Nowadays, he continues to work on his publishing Spacetonic Music (Music publishing label since 2017). The current ensembles he performs with, just to name a few, are
Magic Carpet (Chicago), Sitarist (Shanta Nuerulla of AACM), Adam Zanolini’s Heliacal Rising Of Sothi, Mai Sugimoto Quartet, AACM’s Great Black Music Ensemble (directed by Mwata Bolden), his band Erudition Project and newest ensemble “Where’s Charlie”.
“My life is has been a total dedication to Music” . 🎶
F. Jackson Jr, Musician / Artist / Multi-instrumentalist / Composer Dean of the AACM School / Ravinia MDRTP Teaching Artist/ Ravinia S.I.S.T.E.M.A. Orchestra Instructor/ LLAA Music Instructor
Evan Hill - Musician (he/his): is a dramaturg, educator, critic, theater conceptualist, and musician.
Chér Jey - Singer (she/her): is a Chicago based, multidisciplinary artist, performer and educator from Baltimore, MD. She investigates expression through sound, movement and line. Her research explores improvisational and vocal styling elements of storytelling through Black classical music, world music (with emphasis on Afro Cuban Lucumi song/dance), stream of consciousness writing, hand crafted collage and jewelry design. Chér Jey has written and performed two one woman shows: SOME GIRL (2012) and FULL MOON CIRCLE (2021). She has also created, launced and produced two tributes to vocalist/composer/actress Abbey Lincoln- Chér Jey & The Abbey Project presents: THE MESSAGE (2018) and ANCESTRAL VENERATION for Abbey Lincoln (2023). Chér Jey is vocalist, conceptualist and intuitive composer for groups LUA, Sekhmet RISING and Chér Jey & The Spirit Investigators. She has collaborated as vocalist and dancer for a diverse set of well known innovators in the creative/improvisational/experimental scene in Chicago, Baltimore and the DMV areas. She is a 2023 DCASE Individual Artist Program recipient for Performing Arts and 2013 Maryland State Arts Council Individual Artist Awardee for Solo Theatrical Performance. She currently serves as Program Director for Chicago based musical wellness program, Harmony, Hope and Healing. Chér Jey is in a constant state of renewal and self exploration.
ABOUT THEATRE Y:
Theatre Y is a Chicago-based international incubator that creates connections between diverse artists seeking mutual growth through collaboration. Since 2006, Theatre Y has been a point of convergence for diverse activisms, and all of the uncomfortable conversations that happen as a result. Artistic director Melissa Lorraine and the Theatre Y ensemble are committed to continuously re-thinking the practice of theater as a tool of liberation and a revolutionary practice, bringing Theatre Y to venues ranging from LaMaMa’s historical theater to Illinois prisons. Theatre Y, which is now in its 18th year of experimental productions, challenging international content, and a member-based FREE theater model, occupies a unique place in Chicago's theater community.
Theatre Y productions are offered to the public free of charge thanks to their NPR-like membership model: BECOME A MEMBER: https://www.theatre-y.com/free-theatre-movement
More about Theatre Y: https://www.theatre-y.com/mission
email info@theatre-y.com, or call 773-908-2248.
Special Thanks:
Theatre Y
Steve Bynum, Theatre Y Board President and WBEZ Producer
Theatre Y Board of Directors, past and present!
Haman Cross III
Phil Jackson, The Firehouse Community Arts Center
Patricia McMillan
Arnie and Carol Kanter, Innovation 80
Ebony Chuukwu and Meg Leary
The Walder Foundation
Henry Wilkinson
Sharon Udoh
Evan Hill
Michael Montenegro
Marvin Tate
Alderwoman Monique Scott
Alderman Michael Rodriguez
Emily Bragg
Rachelle Zola
Chuck Michalek
"Hailing from Chicago, Theatre Y’s youth ensemble presents “Little Carl,” a play that addresses gun violence through puppets, masks and poetry. The company relocated to North Lawndale in 2022, and its youth program — led by multidisciplinary artist Marvin Tate and puppetry artisan Michael Montenegro in partnership with the Firehouse Community Arts Center — is one of the ways in which the theater is working to create a community-oriented arts hub in the West Side neighborhood."
The sixth Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival ran Jan. 18-28 at various venues across Chicago.
Visit ChicagoPuppetFest.org
Chicago Puppet Fest presents:
Theatre Y & Michael Montenegro's
LITTLE CARL
Featuring Marvin Tate
Friday, January 26 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, January 27 at 2 pm + 7:30 pm
Sunday, January 28 at 3 pm
Location: The Biograph’s Richard Christiansen Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave.
Photo Credit: Karl Soderstrom
Script written by Michael Montenegro.
Prologue and epilogue written by Marvin Tate.
This is the ensemble's third iteration of this play,
last performed at Chicago Shakespeare Theater in May 2023.
In Little Carl, Theatre Y’s Youth Ensemble grapples with the difficult issue of gun violence by creating a dream play using puppets, masks, and poetry, making beautiful imagery as an antidote to despair. Members of Theatre Y’s youth program have steered this project, guided by an extraordinary set of tools and support from veteran masters of their craft including multidisciplinary artist and North Lawndale native Marvin Tate, puppetry artisan Michael Montenegro, Theatre Y Co-Founding Artistic Director Melissa Lorraine and the Firehouse Community Arts Center. Youth from Chicago’s west side have created each aspect of the vision, while maintaining a critical distance from the work to protect them from re-traumatization or any feelings of exploitation.
Chicago Shakespeare partnered with Theatre Y of North Lawndale to present this original work of puppet theater developed with youth from Chicago’s West side, North Lawndale local Marvin Tate, puppetry artisan Michael Montenegro, and the Firehouse Community Arts Center.
Photo Credit: Karl Soderstrom
MUSICIANS AND SINGERS 2024
The singing ensemble includes Pastor Reshorna Fitzpatrick, Jasmine Keith, and Kyndal Keith, a three generation trio hailing from the Historic Stone Temple Church located in the North Lawndale Community.
FRED JACKSON JR.: In 2010 he became a member of AACM. Also around this time he went to Poznań, Poland on a “Made in Chicago” tour. This would be his first time traveling to Germany was with the AACM New Generations ensemble (under the direction of Ben Lamar Gaye). He was in the first inaugural band of “The Bridge” that played at the MCA in 2010. Since then because of the the Bridge he has been to France many times. (he also toured France in 2017 with that same ensemble from the “Bridge”). He went back to school in 2012 - 14 and received his Masters in Jazz studies from DePaul where he studied with Mark Colby, Dana Hall, Dr Robert Lark, Tom Matta (composition) and many other professors. He has always been a student of music. He studied extensively the music of the African diaspora for ten years, mainly the North and west regions. Magic Carpet allowed him the opportunity to study music from all over the world. He had the honor of performing with some of Ethiopia’s finest vocalist and musicians. Abonesh Sedinew, Tigist, Teddy Akililu and many others. He also performed and studied the music of the Middle East. Chicago has allowed him to play all types of music from House, Funk, Jazz, Reggae, and many other genres.
In 2020-21, he was awarded the “Fresh Works, New Voices” grant from the Jazz Institute of Chicago allowing him the opportunity to record his latest album of original compositions, Genre. This grant also gave him the opportunity to study with Chicago born saxophonist Steve Coleman, and document many interviews of musicians.
Nowadays, he continues to work on his publishing Spacetonic Music (Music publishing label since 2017). The current ensembles he performs with, just to name a few, are
Magic Carpet (Chicago), Sitarist (Shanta Nuerulla of AACM), Adam Zanolini’s Heliacal Rising Of Sothi, Mai Sugimoto Quartet, AACM’s Great Black Music Ensemble (directed by Mwata Bolden), his band Erudition Project and newest ensemble “Where’s Charlie”.
“My life is has been a total dedication to Music” . 🎶
F. Jackson Jr, Musician / Artist / Multi-instrumentalist / Composer Dean of the AACM School / Ravinia MDRTP Teaching Artist/ Ravinia S.I.S.T.E.M.A. Orchestra Instructor/ LLAA Music Instructor
BILL MACKAY: is a guitarist, composer, and improviser based in Chicago. A renowned solo artist and accomplished collaborator with projects that include cellist Katinka Kleijn (Stir, 2019), Nathan Bowles (Keys, 2021), and Ryley Walker (SpiderBeetleBee, 2019), all released on Drag City Records, MacKay has pursued his musical investigations with obsessive rigor, releasing seven LPs since 2017. A deep radiance envelopes even MacKay's most dissonant explorations, and his trajectory travels seamlessly from the avant-garde to folk modes and further. In his music, tradition is invited to be reinvented. MacKay is also a poet, visual artist and polyglot, and is a member of both the avant-garde rock outfit Black Duck (with Douglas McCombs) and the experimental groove-drone project BCMC (with Cooper Crain). Among other publications, his work has received praise in the Chicago Reader, New York Times, Mojo, Uncut, Downbeat, Paste, Pitchfork, and NPR.
