Ceres: Factory Theater Presents Tense Drama About Insurance Industry
Prop Thtr (Chicago, IL)
Rated 2.2 by 6 members who went.
Set against the backdrop of Chicago's Financial District and one broker's surreal subconscious, Heather Tyler's Ceres takes us into the lions' den of hot-shot investment insurance brokers, sneaking a glimpse into the dubious actions of clandestine Unit 57 and its Board of Directors.
Event summary prepared by the Goldstar Editorial Team.
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- Our Price:
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Factory Theater's 1985 imagines an Orwellian Chicago where disavowing oneself from team loyalty isn't easy and might just be impossible. Winston Smith is sick of losing. The major sports teams in Chicago let him down time and time again. He's done. Or is he? If the Bears win, what will be the cost? On the heels of Chicago's failed Olympic bid, 1985 examines the culture and heart of a city that demands victory, but rarely achieves it. Learn More
3 Member Reviews
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19393
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- andrew embery
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andrew embery
Member since 2008
1 Reviews
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The acting, set design, and stage direction were top-notch. Unfortunately, the writer has no grasp of what goes on at the board of trade or in the insurance industry. With a little better research it could probably be amended. Unfortunately, it still wouldn't fix the fact that the play was devoid of a climax or denoumont. Given the current environment, there was a real opportunity for something great, but the craftsmanship was so shoddy that the audience couldn't help but fill unfulfilled and rather confused on exiting the theatre.
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- feather24
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feather24
Member since 2007
1 Reviews
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This was a very good show...it made me think about corruption in corporations, and how that can impact even the smallest member of a 'work family.' I have worked in a dysfunctional environment before, and that was exactly what I saw playing out onstage - it's that weird feeling of love and hate for your fellow human that happens to be standing beside you doing the same thing...and when one of you starts questioning if what you're doing is ethical and in the best interest of all...boy, then do you see how different you can all be in your value systems. I really identified with the lead character. And you know what - unlike the other reviewer - a lot of the corproate speak rang true for me...and what didn't - I really didn't care. Go See This Show. You will think and laugh and think some more. What a rush!
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- K Grady
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K Grady
Member since 2007
3 Reviews
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I enjoyed the play. At times it was a little difficult to follow, but overall there was a good message to it.
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More Details About Ceres
More Information
Website: http://www.thefactorytheater.com/shows/Ceres/Ceres.htm
Ceres
By Heather Tyler
Directed by Angelina Martinez
Set against the backdrop of Chicago's Financial District and one broker's surreal subconscious, Ceres takes us into the lions' den of hot-shot investment insurance brokers, sneaking a glimpse into the dubious actions of clandestine Unit 57 and its Board of Directors. Inspired by the demise of one of our nation's oldest industries and those caught in the middle of a scandal that continues today, Ceres exposes moments of truth and volatility, camaraderie and outright betrayal, where the world of corporate governance permeates individual beliefs of what is ethical - and desirable - in business and in life.
<p>CAST
Ivy: Gretchen Carter
Theresa: Ruta James
Bo: Christopher Marcum
Joe: Rob Biesenbach
Chloe: Jen LaForte
Jake: Alex Moore
Tony: Chas Vrba
Mary Martha: Chelsea Paice
Mandy: Missy Styles
</p>
<p> </p>
<p>CREW</p>
<p>Assistant Director: Corri Feuerstein
Executive Producer: Carrie J. Sullivan
Producer: Joe Gehr
Assistant Producer: Ernie Deak
Stage Manager: Joie Jackson-Graves
Assistant Stage Manager: Josh Graves
Set Design & Graphic Design: Becky Marshall
Lighting Design: Maggie Fullilove-Nugent
Costume Design: Rachel Sypniewski
Technical Director: Dennis Dawe
Film Direction: Himanshu Kothari
Cinematographer: John Frost
Photographer: Paul Metreyeon
Props: Eric Roach
Sound Design: Nick Booth
Original music composed by Carrie Sullivan</p>
<p> ADDITIONAL CAST (Filmed Segments) </p>
Ivy’s Father: Mike Beyer
Ivy as a girl: Jessie Beyer
Ivy’s Grandfather: Norman Bowers
Afshan: Kelley Owens
Stewart A. Spritzer: Ryan Oliver
Board Executive #1: Allison Cain
Board Executive #2: Ernie Deak
Board Executive #3: Eric Roach
Anchor #1: Cary Shoda
Anchor # 2: Shannon O’Neill
Anchor #3: Patrick Doolin
Factory Theater
Founded in Chicago, Illinois in 1992, Factory Theater is a theater organization dedicated to the writing, directing, performance and production of original works written by ensemble members that are accessible to inexperienced as well as seasoned theatergoers. Since 1992 the Factory has produced more than 60 productions that have been enjoyed by both critics and audience members.
Factory Theater bridges the gap between critical acclaim and audience accessibility. Most of their shows have received rave reviews and awards by various publications including The Reader, New City, the Chicago Sun-Times, the Chicago Tribune, and L.A. Weekly, among others.
In 1998, Factory Theater opened a branch company in Los Angeles, California, and many of their ensemble members relocated out west to pursue careers in film, television and screenwriting and to help create a national presence for the company. Factory Theater has also taken trips out to New York on two separate occasions - in 1998 their After-Dark award winning production of The Vinyl Shop was the hit of the Fringe Festival, and in 2001 Factory was invited to the H.E.R.E. space in Soho by PSNBC to perform The Death And Life Of Barb Budonovich, a short version of their production Varations On Death.
The Factory attributes its success to hard work, dedication, and love for theater. Those attributes continue on in the Factory's vision of writing and producing new works to provide their ever-growing audience with laughter and inspiration.
