Kelli Marino is the “Fugard Chicago 2010” Staff Writer for Timeline Theatre, Remy Bumppo Theatre Company, and Court Theatre. She is also dramaturging Timeline’s “Master Harold”…and the boys and Remy Bumppo’s The Island. Since moving to Chicago a year ago, Kelli has worked as Production Manager for American Blues Theatre, Mosaic Program Coordinator and an Education Intern at American Theater Company, Marketing Intern and Dramaturg for Remy Bumppo’s production of Old Times, and Assistant Director for Northlight Theatre Academy’s production of Esperanza Rising. Her favorite dramaturg credits outside of Chicago include Candide (Arizona Repertory Theatre), To Kill a Mockingbird (Arizona Theatre Company), God’s Man in Texas (Little Theatre of the Rockies), Tartuffe (Arizona Repertory Theatre), Reckless and Scapin (University of Northern Colorado). Kelli holds a M.A. in Theatre Studies from the University of Arizona and a B.A. in Theatre Education from the University of Northern Colorado, and is a proud member of Chicago’s Joseph Jefferson A/T Team!

This post-show discussion immediately followed the performance of The Island, Remy Bumppo Theatre Company’s current mainstage show. Athol Fugard’s daring drama is set in an unnamed prison based on the one where Nelson Mandela was held. John and Winston are cellmates who spend their days doing back-breaking labor, and their nights rehearsing Sophocles’ Antigone to present to their fellow inmates. When John learns his sentence is being reduced, the men’s friendship is tested. Fugard plays the parallels between Antigone’s fight against political and patriarchal boundaries off of the imprisoned men’s fight for their dignity. The Island is a testament to the resiliency of the human heart.

Recorded Friday, February 12, 2010 at The Greenhouse Theater.