PROOF
By David Auburn
Chicago Reader Recommended!
Directed by Luda Lopatina Solomon
March 2–April 6, 2024
Thursdays – Saturdays @ 7:30pm, Sundays @ 3:00pm
LOCATION | Theatre Wit 1229 W. Belmont Ave, Chicago. Studio 3
Viewer discretion advised: Proof includes themes of mental illness that some viewers may find disturbing.
Bluebird Arts proudly closes its fifth season with David Auburn’s “Proof”, directed by Luda Lopatina Solomon, now playing at Theater Wit from March 2nd until April 6th.
Set at the home of a legendary mathematician at the University of Chicago, this Pulitzer Prize-winning play delves into the complexities of familial bonds and intellectual inheritance. Catherine is a brilliant young woman grappling with the legacy of her deceased father. She must navigate the complexities of grief, her own mathematical prowess and the blurred lines of her father’s genius and mental instability.
In the wake of her father’s death, Catherine must also confront her estranged relationship with her sister, who is visiting from New York. All the while, one of her father’s former grad students is reviewing his professor’s old journals with hope of finding something brilliant in the wreckage. Join us for an unforgettable journey of discovery, where truth is revealed not through mathematical theorems, but through the intricacies of the human heart and mind.
THE CAST
DANA MUELCHI (Catherine)
Dana is honored to be a returning artist with Bluebird Arts. Previous credits with the company include Stupid F#@*ing Bird and The Elder Son. While Proof is a dream production for Dana professionally, it is especially meaningful on a personal note. In memory of her mother, Carol, please consider making a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org.
From Marietta, Georgia, Dana currently lives in Chicago where she earned her BFA from UIC. Post-grad, Dana starred in an industrial commercial for a hotdog restaurant and enjoyed an illustrious, albeit short-lived career performing burlesque parodies at Gorilla Tango. She is not currently represented, but she really ought to be, don’t you think? Offstage, Dana can be found playing ukulele inside your cellphone on Tiktok @mustbebigd and Instagram @awkwardneckponytails.
SARAH SEIDLER (u/s Catherine & Claire)
Sarah will perform the role of Catherine on Thursday, March 21 and Friday, March 22.
Sarah is delighted to be working with Bluebird Arts for the first time. Sarah holds a B.A. in Acting from Illinois State University and has toured with both Illinois Shakespeare Festival and Chicago Kids Company, performing abridged classics for young audiences. More credits: The Shaughraun at Storm Theatre NY (Claire Ffolliott), The Real Inspector Hound at St. Sebastian Players (Cynthia), 25th Annual…Spelling Bee at point2productions (Olive Ostrovsky) She has most recently been working in film and television and can be seen in the upcoming thriller Cul de Sac. Thanks and love to Mom, Dad, Griffin, and the squad.
GEOFF ISAAC (Robert)
This is Geoff's first time working with Bluebird Arts and he is grateful to be part of this production of Proof, collaborating with this fine cast and creative staff. Most recently, he appeared as Mr. Maraczek in She Loves Me (Citadel Theatre), Theseus in A Midsummer Night's Dream (CenterStage Shakespeare in the Parks), and Elmer in Never The Bridesmaid (Oil Lamp Theater). Geoff has had the honor of playing several iconic roles including: Tevye, Captain Hook, George Bailey, El Gallo, Nick Arnstein, Thomas Jefferson, and who could forget Jack in the original Factory Theater production of Reefer Madness. He performed sketch comedy and improv for many years with IO and as a founding member of ComedySportz-Chicago and Free Associates. Big love and thanks to Haralyn for her unwavering support as well as to family, friends, and patrons of live theater everywhere.
TAILA LANGMAN (Claire)
Talia is thrilled to work with Bluebird Arts on their production of Proof! Previous Chicago credits include Cymbeline (Midsommer Flight), Patchwork Play Festival (Eclectic Full Contact Theatre), Dante 360 (Athenaeum Center), The Flower and The Fury (Artemisia Theatre), When There Are Nine (PrideArts), Twice, Thrice, Frice (Silk Road Rising), Melancholy Play (Organic Theater Company), and The Revolutionists (Strawdog Theatre Company). Talia received her MFA from Sarah Lawrence College and is represented by Actors Talent Group.
CALLAHAN ROMEN CRNICH (Hal)
Callahan is ecstatic to be making his BlueBird Arts debut in Proof. Before moving to Chicago, Callahan got his BA in Acting/Directing from Weber State University in Ogden, Utah. Past credits include: Cripple Billy (The Cripple of Inishmaan), Orhan (Where Words Once Were), Ray (The Beauty Queen of Lennane) and Caliban (The Tempest). He would like to express his thanks to his family and Caitlin for all their support and love.
PRODUCTION TEAM
LUDA LOPATINA SOLOMON (Director)
Luda is Artistic Director for Bluebird Arts and is excited to be directing again working with so many talented artists. She studied acting and directing in Russia at the Leningrad Institute of Music, Theatre and Film and earned her Ph.D (WD) in teaching acting at the St. Petersburg State Academy of Dramatic Arts. She worked as an actress at Leningrad Studio Theatre. Luda’s work as a director includes every production produced by Bluebird Arts: THE CLEAN HOUSE by Sarah Ruhl (in English and Russian); HELLO AND GOODBYE by Athol Fugard (in English and Russian); ZOYKA'S APARTMENT by Mikhail Bulgakov (in English and Russian); THREE HOTELS by Jon Robin Baitz (in English and Russian); THE BEAUTY QUEEN OF LEENANE by Martin McDonagh; CLEVER LITTLE LIES by Joe DiPietro; and THE ELDER SON by Alexander Vampilov, and last fall’s Jeff Recommended STUPID F*CKING BIRD by Aaron Posner. Luda also directed, as a member of European Repertory Company, Chekhov’s IVANOV (Jeff Nominated); Bulgakov’s ZOYKA’S APARTMENT; Chekhov’s THE DUEL, adapted by Frank Galati; Carlo Gozzi’s PRINCESS TURANDOT; and Vasili Sigarev’s BLACK MILK. Also, with European Repertory Company she co-directed, with Yasen Peyankov, Galin’s STARS IN THE MORNING SKY and Nikolay Kolyada’s GO AWAY, GO AWAY (Jeff Nominated). Other directing credits include Stephen Schwartz’s THE BAKER’S WIFE with One Theatre Company, Galin’s THE HOUSE THAT SWIFT BUILT co-directed with Dale Goulding for Red Square Theatre Company, and WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF at Theatre Volhonka, Ekatirenburg, Russia (Translated to Russian; Bravo award). She also co-directed, with Bill Raffeld, ARMS AND THE MAN by George Bernard Shaw at Old World Theatre Company. Luda has taught acting at The School at Steppenwolf, Act One Conservatory and The University of Illinois at Chicago. She thanks Barry and Angela for inspiration and endless love and support.
SAMANTHA ANNA RAUSCH (Set Designer)
Samantha is a Chicago-Atlanta based multidisciplinary visual and theatre artist. Her artwork explores and examines how we engage with time, space, and relationships. Rausch’s art practice revolves around creating narrative-based immersive environments through the means of sculpture, painting, public art, performance art, and scenic design.
Rausch is an ensemble member at Eclipse Theatre and Facility Theatre. She has collaborated with a number of Chicago theatre companies including A Red Orchid Theater, Factory Theatre, Redmoon Theatre, Victory Gardens Theatre, The House Theatre of Chicago, and more. Rausch's work has also been nominated for the 2019 Non-Equity Jeff Award in Scenic Design for her work on "The Dark at the Top of the Stairs" with the Eclipse Theatre Company. Currently, Rausch is the North Theatre Manager of the FXK Theater and Bartlett Hall Dance Studio at the University of Chicago.
Rausch’s artwork has been shown at Chicago's Museum of Contemporary Art and the Museum of Science and Industry, and in many national galleries predominantly along the East Coast & Midwest. Rausch has a number of public artworks in the Midwest and murals in the east coast and in Ireland. Rausch received her MFA from the Mount Royal School of Art at the Maryland Institute College of Art and her BFA & BA in Art History from the University of South Florida. Rausch's commitment to transforming public spaces has led to being a grant and fellowship recipient from the Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts, Chicago Sculpture International, Chicago Parks District for public artwork. She participates in residencies including the Vermont Studio Center, Art Farm, and Windy Mowing Mills. Rausch's online portfolio can be found at SamanthaRausch.com.
ANGELA KRING (Stage Manager)
Angela Kring (she/they) is thrilled to be working again with Bluebird Arts on Proof! Angela is originally from Arkansas and moved to Chicago, where she has Stage Managed for companies such as: Bluebird Arts, Organic Theater Company, City Lit Theater Company, Quest Theatre Ensemble, Reutan Collective, Danszloop Chicago."
EMIL THOMAS (Production Manager)
Emil (he/him) is a graduate of Cobb County Center for Excellence in the Performing Arts and Ball State University, in Muncie Indiana. Over the last eight years he has led Marietta's Theatre in the Square as their Producing Artistic Director. In 2017, He was awarded Director of the Year for his production of Nambi E. Kelley's Native Son. He has directed productions such as LA GRINGA, IN THE HEIGHTS, A RAISIN IN THE SUN, and Marietta's Theatre Square's annual holiday show, A GIFT OF THE MAGI 2.0. Emil is currently completing his MFA at The Theatre School at DePaul University. Follow him on Instagram at @nemilthomas to see his upcoming projects.
BRANDON REED (Sound Design & Original Music)
Brandon is a sound designer, composer, and audio engineer based in Chicago. Broadway credits include Assistant Sound Designer for Goodnight, Oscar. Regional credits include American Players Theatre, Goodman Theatre, Lookingglass, PlayMakers Repertory Company, Constellation Stage & Screen, Cape Fear Regional Theatre, and more. He was the 2019 recipient of the USITT Robert Cohen Sound Achievement Award. MFA from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, BS from Ball State University. www.brandonreedsounddesign.com
MATT LEDAJAKS (Technical director)
Matt is a passionate and innovative carpenter with a flair for creativity and craftsmanship. Specializing in custom woodworking projects that blend functionality with artistic design. Dedicated to delivering high-quality, unique pieces that exceed client expectations. Let's turn your visions into stunning realities.
KARINA OSBOURNE (Lighting Designer)
Karina is a SoCal native who is so elated to working with BlueBird Arts.
She is currently studying lighting design at DePaul University, and is hoping to continue to have theatre enrich her life.
BISA (Costume Designer)
Bisa is happy to be back working with Bluebird Arts. Her previous costume designs with Bluebird Arts include The Elder Son, Clever Little Lies, The Beauty Queen Of Leenane, Three Hotels, and she was the assistant costume designer on Zoya’s Apartment. Other credits include costume co-design for The Word Progress on My Mother’s Lips Doesn’t Ring True at Trapdoor Theatre and she consulted on Overweight, Unimportant, Misshaped: A European Supper at Trapdoor Theatre.
RACHEL HARTMANN (Prop Designer)
Rachel (she/they) is a Props Designer and Puppeteer based in Chicagoland. Rachel has worked across the country and her worked has been featured at The Center for Puppetry Arts, as well as The Chicago International Puppet Festival. She is thrilled to be working on Proof and can't wait to see the end result.
LAURA STURM (Intimacy Coordinator)
JAIMELYN GRAY (Press and Managing)
MEDIA
“Directed with a special kind if sensitivity, love and care, Luda Lopatina Solomon has guided her quartet of talented actors to tell Auburn’s story with so much passion and purpose. The production plays upon, inside and around Samantha Rausch’s exquisite set, a house and backyard filled with hidden treasures and designed with gorgeous details. The show’s lit with feeling and finesse by Karina Osbourne in a production that shines in so many ways. And Brandon Reed’s sound design and original music is the icing on the cake.”
Production Photos by Anthony La Penna
