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May 5 - July 10, 2022

Athena

  • Written by Gracie Gardner
  • Directed by Jessica Fisch

ADVANCE. PARRY. REPEAT.

A fast-paced, engaging new play from Gracie Gardner, the winner of the 2017 Relentless Award, Athena received a critically acclaimed premiere in New York in 2018. Director Jessica Fisch (Cry It Out at Northlight Theatre, Every Brilliant Thing at Windy City Playhouse) brings her deft touch for storytelling to this portrait of two high-achieving young women, simultaneously rivals and allies, pushing each other to be the best.

Synopsis

Athena

Mary Wallace and Athena are both seventeen-year-old fencers training for Nationals. Mary Wallace lives in a house in New Jersey, loves marine biology and practices at home. Athena lives in an apartment in New York City, takes acne medication and Athena is not her real name. Follow their journey from competitors to confidantes as they form a bond navigating the milestones of adolescence, training together only to learn the future is only certain for one of them. 

Warning: This production contains strong language, as well as strobe & haze effects.

Cast

Mary Tilden

Athena

Aja Singletary

Mary Wallace

Kianna Rose

Understudy Mary Wallace

Emma Rosenthal

Understudy Athena

Emma Rosenthal is thrilled to return to Writers, where she was previously seen in Athena. Chicago: The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk (Northlight); Fiddler on the Roof, Peter and the Starcatcher, West Side Story, Les Miserables, Beauty and the Beast (Drury Lane Oakbrook); Big Fish, Hello Dolly (Marriott Lincolnshire); The Fantasticks (Porchlight); Brigadoon, Candide (Goodman); The Tempest (Steppenwolf). Off Broadway: The Threepenny Opera (Marvell Rep, Drama Desk Nomination: Best Musical); Liberty (Theatre80). Regional: Berkeley Rep, Indiana Rep, Huntington Theatre, Shakespeare Theatre of DC, Weston Playhouse, TAP, Peninsula Players, Williamstown Theatre Festival. Proud graduate of Northwestern University, member of AEA, and finalist on Fox's Crime Scene Kitchen. Forever thanks to Carey and the whole team at Writers, and to Gray Talent Group, Mom, Aaron, and Phil. 

Creative

Jessica Fisch

Director

Arnel Sancianco

Scenic Designer

Mieka van der Ploeg

Costume Designer

Paul Toben

Lighting Designer

Mikhail Fiksel

Sound Designer

Grace Dolezal-Ng

Assistant Director

Miranda Anderson

Stage Manager

MIRANDA ANDERSON is happy to be back at Writers where she has previously worked as the stage manager for As You Like It, Translations, Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812, The Band's Visit, Once, and Athena. She has frequently worked with TimeLine Theatre where selected credits include: What The Constitution Means to Me, Trouble in Mind, Campaigns, Inc., and Relentless. Around Chicago she has also worked at Rivendell Theatre, The House Theatre, First Folio Theatre, and The Hypocrites, among others. From 2012 to 2018, she toured with The Hypocrites’ Gilbert and Sullivan productions to regional theaters including Olney Theatre Company, Pasadena Playhouse, Skirball Center at NYU, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Actors Theatre of Louisville, and American Repertory Theatre in Boston. Miranda is the Stage Management Advisor at Loyola University of Chicago and is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association.

Natalie Cohen

Assistant Stage Manager

Natalie Cohen is thrilled to return to Writers Theatre where previous credits include Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, The Band's Visit, Manual Cinema's Christmas Carol, Once, and Athena. Select credits include Cats, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Kinky Boots (Paramount Theatre); A Raisin in the Sun, The Gospel at Colonus (Court Theatre); Clyde’s (Goodman Theatre). Natalie is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association. Love to Molly, always.

[Bio as of October 2025]

Events

En Garde! A Matinee Workshop for Youth
SATURDAY, JUNE 25 AT 3PM

Bring the whole family for an afternoon of fun at Writers Theatre on Saturday, June 25th! While parents and caregivers catch the 3pm matinee of Athena, young people can learn the basics of swordplay in a stage combat workshop taught by WT Education’s professional teaching artists. No blades here! Advance, feint, and parry away with your trusty pool noodle. 

Our workshops are designed to be active, fun, flexible, and adaptable to multiple ages and abilities. If you think your child might not be interested in swordplay, other activities will be available. All are welcome.

Young people from ages 5-12 are welcome. We ask that they are able to use the bathroom by themselves. The workshop will take place in the theatre building. Please plan to drop off your participant between 2:40pm and 2:50pm and pick them up no later than 10 minutes after curtain. Current Writers Theatre COVID safety protocols require all participants to show proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test from within 72 hours before entering the building. See the latest safety protocols here. Spaces are limited and registration is required so sign up early! 

Behind the Scenes: Fencing

SATURDAY, JUNE 25TH, AT 5PM

Are those swords real? Find answers to that and all your other pressing combat questions at WT’s behind the scenes look at the role of fencing in Gracie Gardner’s play Athena. Fight choreographer David Blixt will discuss the art of storytelling through combat. Fencing expert and show consultant Clint Smith will reveal the actors’ training regime and how their rankings went from U to A. Hopefully he’ll explain fencing rankings as well. Join us between shows in the Gillian for a live action exploration of the sport of swords.

Giilian Theatre

The Gillian Theatre

325 Tudor Court Glencoe, Illinois, 60022

Accessibility

Fully ADA accessible with wheelchair seating available.

Parking

Free parking is available in the Metra Station lot, and street parking is readily available.

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2021/22 Season

Production History