Babes With Blades Theatre Company brings the tale of Shakespeare’s most complex, cruel and fascinating protagonist to life this summer in a new version that accounts for previously disregarded perspectives. BWBTC Shakespeare’s Richard III tells the story of Richard of Gloucester, who uses intelligence, deception and political manipulation towards his ultimate goal: England’s crown. Babes With Blades’ production is a partnership with a project called “Making Inclusive Theatre: Richard III as Disability Art,” a collaboration with the University of Illinois Chicago’s Disability Cultural Center, the UIC Department of Theatre and Bodies of Work, a network of disability arts and culture.

Aszkara Gilchrist, she/her (Richard III), Jillian Leff*, she/her (Buckingham), Kristen Alesia, she/her, they/them (Anne/Hastings), Pat Roache, they/them (Margaret/Brackenbury), Jennifer L. Mickelson*, she/her (Clarence/Stanley/Lord Mayor), Leah Huskey, she/her (Grey/Duchess of York & Non-Eq Dep), Kayla Marie Klammer, she/her (Lovell/Archbishop), Izis Mollinedo*, they/them, she/her (Rivers/Bishop of Ely/Messenger, EDI Rep), Kim Fukawa*, she/her (Catesby/King Edward IV), Madison Hill, they/them (Ratcliffe/York), Symmone Still, she/her (Dorset/Prince Edward), Lauren Paige, she/her (Queen Elizabeth), Genesis Sanchez, she/her, they/them (Richmond), Emma Norville, she/her (Clarence/Stanley/Lord Mayor U/S; Anne/Hasting U/S), Xela Rosas, she/her, they/them (Rivers/Bishop of Ely/Messenger U/S; Dorset/Prince Edward U/S; King Edward IV U/S), Hazel Monson, they/they, she/her (Margaret/Brackenbury U/S; Ratcliffe/York; Catesby U/S), Jo Hoch, she/her (Richard III U/S), Logan UhiwaiO’Alohamailani Rasmussen, she/her (Queen Elizabeth/Richmond U/S; Grey/Duchess of York U/S) and Elizabeth Quilter, she/her, they/them (Lovell/Archbishop U/S; Buckingham U/S).

Sydney Lynne, she/her (Scenic Design), Becca Venable, she/her (Lighting Design), kClare McKellaston, she/her (Costume Design), Kat Pleviak, she/her (Puppet Design), Jesse D. Irwin, he/him (Sound Design), AJ Morley, he/him (Props Design), Carrie Hardin, she/her (Text Coach), Claire Alston, she/her (Dramaturg), Keyana Robinson, she/her (UIC Videographer), Matt Lauterbach, he/him (Accessibility Coordinator),  Dr. Margaret Fink (Director of Disability Cultural Center- UIC ), she/her (Accessibility Rep ), Line Bower, they/them (Technical Director), Jillian Leff*, she/her (Assistant Fight Director), Rose Hamill, she/her (Production Manager), Esau Andaleon, he/him (Assistant Stage Manager), Gabrielle Owens, she/they (Stage Manager), and Tab Mocherman, they/them (Covid Compliance Officer), Kelsey Kovacevish*, she/her (Managing Director), Alison Dornheggen*, she/her (Public Relations)

Click here to view the full Richard III program