Cast: Maureen Azzun, Neema Lahon, David Lovejoy, Gavin Rhys, Faiz Siddique, and Carl Wisniewski.
Playwright
Laura Ruohonen creates her own special world in her plays, whether depicting a seventeenth-century court or a modern apartment block. Ruohonen’s texts are both poetic and down-to-earth, combining humour and tragedy into an organic whole. In her plays, people are inextricably bound to their environment, and an individual’s inner and outer life reflect one another, sometimes getting blended in the process. Ruohonen writes on many levels, and her works can be interpreted in many different ways. At the heart of her works lies a strong ethical core. From 2008 to 2013 Laura Ruohonen was the Professor in Drama of the Theatre Academy Helsinki.
Costume Designer: Rachel Sypniewski / Lighting Designer: Richard Norwood / Set Designer: Michael Griggs / Associate Set Designer: Minghan Ma / Sound Designer: Deon Custard / Make-up Designer: Zsofia Otvos / Graphic Designer: Michal Janicki / Stage Manager: Anna Klos
Queen C
Written by Laura Ruohonen
Translated by David Hackston
Directed by Michael Mejia
October 28 – December 4, 2021
Queen C has been translated into more than seven languages, won several prizes and been staged in five continents in cutting-edge theaters. After receiving accolades abroad, the play was then staged in Finland. Laura Ruohonen is a playwright in residence at the Finnish National theatre, with a new play and a poetry book coming up in 2022.
Gallery
Director Michael Mejia has made Trap Door’s compact stage into a visual feast.
Jacob Davis, Around the Town Chicago
…the queen’s desire not to be defined by others—whether by gender, sexual preference, or in any other way—rings true and is of the moment…
Dmitry Samarov, Chicago Reader
On this stage, people are rarely alone and it is impossible to be too far apart, yet Christina’s alienation is clear.
Jacob Davis, Around the Town Chicago
Director
Michael Mejia (they, them, theirs) is extremely excited to be making their main stage directing debut with Trap Door Theatre! Michael studied acting and music performance at Indiana University before coming to Chicago. Michael is the Company Manager for Trap Door Theatre, where they are also a proud ensemble member. Trap Door Directing credits: ALAS and Decomposed Theatre Episode 3. Acting credits: The White Plague, Father; Love and Information, Actor; The Killer, Architect; The Old Woman Broods, Waiter; Monsieur d’Eon is a Woman, Beaumarchais/Wilkes (Trap Door Theatre); Proxy, Doug (Underscore Theatre); Kingdom, Alexander (Broken Nose Theatre); Little Shop of Horrors, Audrey 2 (Stoughton Village Players); Hair, Hud (Harper Ensemble Theatre). Michael is also a musician who plays guitar, piano and writes. Michael would like to thank Trap Door Theatre and this amazing cast for allowing them to take this beautiful journey. www.mejiah.com