Factory Theater announces 'Ceres' in Chicago on hotshot investment insurance brokers

I just received this press release.

Factory Theater Presents ‘Ceres’
Directed by: Angelina Martinez
Written by: Heather Tyler
Preview Performance: Friday March 21st at 8pm
Gala Opening Night Performance: Saturday March 22nd at 8:00pm continuing Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 7pm through Saturday April 26th
Factory Theater at the Prop Thtr 3502 N. Elston Ave.
Ordering Tickets: call 866.811.4111 or order online at thefactorytheater.com
Ticket Prices:
$10.00 Preview March 21st
$30.00 Gala Opening March 22nd
$20.00 remainder of the run

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. Ceres is the first show of the Factory Theater’s 16th Season.

About the Director & Playwright

Angelina Martinez (Director)
Angelina Martinez makes her Factory debut with Ceres. Previous credits include the wacky soap opera spoof, Calgony Springs, with Hi-Volt Theater, where she wrote and directed the pilot and 10 subsequent episodes, as well as other small projects. She is also a performer, having worked with several local theater companies in the Chicago area.

Heather Tyler (Playwright)
The spring of 2008 marks Heather Tyler’s tenth year in the Chicago theatre community. Educated in the Liberal Arts with an emphasis in English Lit and performance, she holds a B.A. in Theatre, cum laude, from Rhodes College, Memphis TN. Faced, as all aspiring actors are, with the choice of New York, L.A. or Chicago, Heather followed in the footsteps of earlier Rhodes graduates (and greasy joan & co. founders), making her way to the ‘slightly-chillier-but- more-accommodating’ city with the goal to make acting a career. Flirting with various ensembles and techniques, Heather expanded her creative vocabulary performing &/or training with The Moving Dock, Adler Danztheater, the side project, the Hypocrites, Trapdoor Theatre, Redmoon, Hi-Volt (defunct), The Playground, Defiant (defunct) and finally, The Factory Theater. An official member of The Factory ensemble since 2004, Heather has performed in five main-stage shows and has choreographed a handful of other Factory productions from Top Shelf to Siskel & Ebert Save Chicago. Much of Heather’s recent work has been in Chicago’s independent film community in shorts such as “The Institution ,” “Fast As You Can ,” and “When Two Lovers Meet ” with an onstage credit in the critically-acclaimed, Dirty Diamonds back on The Factory stage. Today, Heather pursues commercial acting work, as well as holding licensure as a commercial lines insurance producer for Wachovia Insurance Services, Inc. Developed through participation in The Factory Theater’s Writers Workshop with contribution by ensemble members in a staged reading project, Ceres marks Ms. Tyler’s first play produced in Chicago.

The Cast
Rob Biesenbach
Gretchen Carter
Ruta James
Jen LaForte
Christopher Marcum
Alex Moore
Chelsea Paice
Missy Styles
Chas Vrba

Additional Cast (Filmed Segments)
Mike Beyer
Jessie Beyer
Norman Bowers
Kelley Owens
Ryan Oliver
Allison Cain
Ernie Deak
Eric Roach
Cary Shoda
Shannon O’Neill
Patrick Doolin

The Crew
Director: Angelina Martinez
Playwright: Heather Tyler
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

About Factory Theater
Founded in Chicago, Illinois in 1992, Factory Theater is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) 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 we have produced over 60 productions that have been enjoyed by both critics and audience members. Overall, Factory Theater has managed to bridge the gap between critical acclaim and audience accessibility. We attribute our success to hard work, dedication, and love for theater. We plan on fully using those attributes to continue Factory’s vision of writing and producing new works in an effort to provide our ever-growing audience with laughter and inspiration.