ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar
Definition Theatre Announces Casting for the Chicago Premiere of
Splash Hatch on the E Going Down
by Kia Corthron
Directed by Cheryl Lynn Bruce
Company Also Announces $500,000 Donation from the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation in Support of Definition’s New Building in Woodlawn
Definition Theatre announces the cast of its next show, the Chicago premiere of Kia Corthron’s powerful drama Splash Hatch on the E Going Down. Helmed by lauded Chicago artist Cheryl Lynn Bruce, the production features Quenna Barrett, Jada Jackson, Jabari Khaliq, Stetson Pierre and Rita Wicks. Splash Hatch on the E Going Down runs from March 14 to April 13, 2025 at Definition at 55th, located at 1160 E 55th St in Hyde Park.
In a cramped Harlem apartment, fifteen-year-old A-student Thyme faces the challenges of impending motherhood. Supported by her teenage husband and best friend, Thyme balances her intellectual curiosity with the harsh realities of her surrounding life. As she meticulously studies fetal development and dreams of a water birth, she becomes aware of the environmental injustices in her community. When tragedy strikes Thyme must confront the personal impact of her research, questioning what it truly means to prepare for the future. Explore this raw, poetic exploration of love, resilience, and the impact of environmental injustice on communities of color.
Jada Jackson plays Thyme, a brilliant but overwhelmed 15-year-old who is navigating both the complexities of teenage pregnancy and the weight of her growing obsession with the urban environment and social justice. Jabari Khaliq is Erry, Thyme’s 18-year-old husband, Rita Wicks as Shaneequa, Thyme’s best friend and mother of an infant. With Stetson Pierre as Ollie and Quenna Barrett as Marjorie.
Directed by Cheryl Lynn Bruce, the team includes assistant to the director Ashley Keys, production manager Ellen Willett, stage manager Ariel Beller, and a talented group of designers and assistants. The creative team also includes scenic designer Brian Bembridge, costume designer Janelle Smith, lighting designer Conchita Avitia, sound designer Willow James, and props designer Lonnae Hickman, with Maya Vinice Prentiss serving as intimacy and fight designer.
Tickets are on sale now and start at $25. For more information about Splash Hatch on the E Going Down and the full schedule, please visit https://www.definitiontheatre.org/shows/splash.
Capital Donation from Paul M. Angell Foundation
Definition Theatre is thrilled to announce a generous $500,000 capital donation from the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation in support of its new theater, community center, and business incubator in Woodlawn. This transformative gift marks a significant step toward Definition Theatre’s $15 million fundraising goal, reinforcing its mission to create a vibrant cultural and economic hub on Chicago’s South Side. With this investment, the organization moves closer to establishing a permanent home that will provide artistic opportunities, entrepreneurial support, and community-driven programming, fostering long-term impact and sustainable growth in the neighborhood.
ABOUT DEFINITION THEATRE
Definition Theatre has been a vibrant force for over a decade, celebrating stories created with, inspired by, and intended for people and communities of color. Through the act of making, Definition expands perspectives, stewards resources, and bridges the possibilities found at the intersection of art, innovation, and education. Known for bold and impactful productions, we’ve brought to life plays by Oscar-winner Tarell Alvin McCraney, Pulitzer Prize-winners James Ijames and Jackie Sibblies Drury, and Tony Award-winner Branden Jacobs-Jenkins. We strive to promote equity, foster empathy, and enhance the quality of life for our community members by offering opportunities for creative, entrepreneurial, and cultural expression. Our work emphasizes collaboration in theater-making and raises awareness of career paths in the arts. In 2024, Definition leased and equipped a storefront space in Hyde Park, enabling us to engage artists and expand programs as we prepare for our permanent home in Woodlawn on the southside of Chicago. This new theater, community center, and business incubator will amplify and preserve BIPOC voices, promote social justice, and empower the next generation of artists, entrepreneurs, and changemakers to drive positive progress through the transformative power of the arts.
Definition Ensemble members include: Adia Alli, Owais Ahmed, Ariel Beller, Jared Bellot, Carley Cornelius, Ari Craven, Julie Jachym, Willow James, Martasia Jones, Slick Jorgensen, Yeaji Kim, Kristy Hall, James Ijames, Julie Jachym, Willow James, Kiki Layne, Kelson Michael McAuliffe, Victor Musoni, Neel McNeill, Sophiyaa Nayar, Karyn Oates, Alexandra Oparka, Julian Parker, Maya Vinice Prentiss, Tyrone Phillips, Ireon Roach, Jacqueline Rosas, Christopher Sheard, and Dujon Smith.
Definition Artistic Advisory Board members include: director May Adrales, Steppenwolf ensemble member Alana Arenas, actress Shannon Cochran, actor Brandon Dirden, actor Jason Dirden, actor Jon Michael Hill, director Pam Mackinnon, Equity Quotient CEO Keryl McCord, professor JW Morrissette, director Ron OJ Parson, professor/lighting designer Kathy Perkins, media producer and host Troy Osborne Pryor, Tony Award-winning actress and stage director Phylicia Rashad, and Goodman Theatre director in residence Chuck Smith. Tyrone Phillips is the Artistic Director, Neel McNeill is the Executive Director, Willow James is the Civic Engagement Director.
For additional information, visit definitiontheatre.org and @definitiontheatre on Facebook and Instagram #stayinit
