Anna Deavere Smith Playwright

Mikael Burke ~ Director

Cast

Mildred Marie Langford * + Actor 1

Shariba Rivers * Actor 2

Adhana Reid Actor 3

Production Team

Jennifer Aparicio * Stage Manager (Week 1)
Florence Borowski Co-Audio Supervisor
Mark Brown Lighting Supervisor
Ophena De La Rosa Assistant Costume Designer
Lucy Elkin Costume Supervisor
Daniel Etti-Williams Assistant Sound Designer
Andres Fiz Associate Projection Designer
Delaney Gosse Wardrobe Run Crew
Sammi Grant Dialect Coach
Emmanuel Jimenez Scenic Supervisor
Rasean Davonté Johnson # Projections Designer
Eleanor Kahn # Scenic Designer
Katie Klemme * Stage Manager
Ben Lipinski Assistant Scenic Designer
Paloma Locsin Assistant Properties Designer
John McTaggart Co-Scenic Supervisor
Parker Molacek Projections Supervisor
Christine Pascual # Costume Designer
Averi Paulsen Audio Supervisor
Camille Rose Pugliese Assistant Dramatrug
Dina Spoerl Dramaturgical Display Designer
Destin Lorde Teamer Assistant Dialect / Voice Coach
Ellie Terrell Properties Designer
Christie Chiles Twillie Sound Designer
Regina Victor Associate Director
CG Walkanoff Production Assistant
Jessica Kuehnau Wardell Scenic Charge Artist
Eric Watkins # Lighting Designer
DeRon S. Williams Dramaturg

Understudies

Stephanie Mattos Actor 1

Jenece Upton Actor 2

Ashli Rene Funches Actor 3

Reviews

Chicago Tribune

February 9, 2024

“★★★…so gorgeously wrought, all three of the performers have dazzling moments”

—Chris Jones

Newcity

February 12, 2024

“an evening of grace and power…You’ll leave feeling both shaken and exhilarated, able to see America’s racial problems and school-to-prison pipeline with fresh eyes.”

—Mary Wisniewski

Chicago Stage and Screen

February 8, 2024

“a tour de force performance from all…an important play and should be experienced…go see it“

—Angela Allyn

Let's Play Theatrical Reviews

February 7, 2024

“★★★★…a cry for justice and parity..bold, introspective, provocative“

—Rick McCain

Around The Town Chicago

“★★★★★…powerful and moving performances, thought provoking content and a challenge to us all to make a difference“

—Paul Lisnek

Chicago Theatre Review

February 9, 2024

“a vibrant, mind-blowing production…I defy anyone to leave the theatre not moved by what they’ve just experienced.”

—Colin Douglas

Buzz Center Stage

February 9, 2024

“Powerful performances and a hard-hitting script make this play an experience to remember. To put it simply, Notes from the Field is a must-see.”

—Lauren Katz

The Fourth Walsh

February 13, 2024

“these actors are fierce!…Notes from the Field is the catalyst we need to inform systematic reform. Take note and get a ticket!”

—Katy Walsh

Third Coast Review

February 10, 2024

“Every scene makes a lasting impression…Notes from the Field just needs to be seen.”

—Susan Lieberman

Splash Magazine

February 9, 2024

“a profoundly human and affecting work of realism…unmissable“

—Michael Antman

Broadway World

February 9, 2024

“the production is full of humanity and emotion…Langford, Rivers, and Reid understand the assignment” 

—Rachel Weinberg

Chicago Reader

February 13, 2024

“a powerhouse trio…actors Mildred Marie Langford, Adhana Reid, and Shariba Rivers are chameleons, melting seamlessly from one character into another, transforming from young to old, man to woman, Black to Indigenous American to Latinx”

—Sheri Flanders

ChilL Mama

February 10, 2024

“★★★★…one must see performance that will blow the blinders off audience members and bring systemic racism, classism, and school/police failures into the spotlight.”

—Bonnie Kenaz-Mara

Features

Chalkbeat Chicago

February 26, 2024

“With a play like Notes dealing with something so close to the students’ experiences, the teaching artists make sure to help students process the subject matter and express their feelings about it.

‘It allows you to sit in a space and note that it is not your fault. It is the fault of the system failing people,’ said Living History teaching artist Marcus D. Moore. ‘It takes that burden off of them, because they are carrying already so much in the world.'”

—Crystal Paul

Read the full review