Join us for a special evening with dramatic readings of scenes from the new volume of one act and short plays by Domnica Radulescu. "Madame Monde/Madam World" - published in January of this year - is a collection that features plays that explore nature, earth, environmental destruction, magic, and madness from a feminist lens with roles for female, and non-binary performers. Not appropriate for children under 14.

The plays in this volume include the ROMANIAN REUNION, THE GREAT DEVOURING, CRACK IN THE WALL, and other short and one-act plays. 

Domnica Radulescu is a Romanian American writer who arrived in the United States in the early eighties as a political refugee.  She settled in Chicago where she obtained a PhD in Romance Languages from the University of Chicago in 1992. 

Radulescu is the author of three critically acclaimed novels, Train to Trieste (Knopf 2008 &2009), Black Sea Twilight (Transworld 2011 & 2012) and Country of Red Azaleas (Hachette 2016), and of award-winning plays. Train to Trieste has been published in thirteen languages and is the winner of the 2009 Library of Virginia Fiction Award. Radulescu received the 2011 Outstanding Faculty Award from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. Two of her plays, The Town with Very Nice People and Exile Is My Home, were finalists for the Jane Chambers Playwriting Award (2012 & 2013).  A volume of four of her plays titled Exile Is My Home was published with NoPassport Press in 2020, and a volume of one-act and short plays titled Madame Monde/Madam World was recently released from the same press. Radulescu published fourteen non-fiction books, edited and co-edited collections on topics ranging from the tragic heroine in western literature to feminist comedy, to studies of exile literature, and two collections of original plays. Dream in a Suitcase. The Story of an Immigrant Life is her first memoir, and it was released in January 2022.  Radulescu is twice a Fulbright scholar and the founding director of the National Symposium of Theater in Academe. 

Actors (in alphabetical order)

Simina Contras is a Chicago-based actor/ Customer service / Mom of two beautiful boys is holding a BFA in Acting from the University of Sibiu, Romania, proud Jeff nominee (2016) for Best Actress in a Supporting role is very honored to be part of these readings/ book opening and help promoting new brilliant work. 

Ana Everling is a singer that creates vocal music inspired from Romanian folklore, classical music, as well as improvised music. Possessing a brilliant and hypnotic voice, Ana brings traditional
Eastern European music and storytelling into the contemporary idiom, delivering complex performances that address universal themes.
“Blessed with a potent, crystalline voice and a striking stage presence, Everling delivers her unusual fusion with the utmost delicacy and elegance.”— CATALINA MARIA JOHNSON, THE CHICAGO READER
Ana performs often with several groups of her own: Everling/Onderdonk Duo (with David Onderdonk), which lead to the release of the multi-media project “The Music of Guinga”, and Taraf
de Chicago: an ensemble of Chicago-based musicians, playing music from Moldova, Bessarabia area.

Millie Hurley is very excited to be reading parts from Domnica’s new plays! Her last role was Teresa in Seven Days at Sea with Light and Sound Productions. Before the pandemic, she played Clara in Miracle on South Division and Aoife in Outside Mullingar at Buffalo Theater Ensemble. Millie’s Chicago credits include: The Crucible (Steppenwolf); Visiting and Chewing on Beckett (Artemisia Theatre); Wit (The Hypocrites); Good for Otto (The Gift Theatre); Dividing the Estate, Trip to Bountiful, Dancing at Lughnasa (Raven Theatre); Superior Donuts (Mary-Arrchie Theatre); and Lettice and Lovage and A Delicate Balance (Redtwist Theatre).

TV Credits: The Bear and Chicago

Wannapa P-Eubanks is a Butoh dance performer, Improviser, Choreographer, Movement Coach, and actor. Her venues include Goodman Theatre, Raven Theatre, Chicago Cultural Center, The Athenaeum Theatre, Victory GardenTheatre, MCA, Links Hall, Ruth Page Center for the Arts, Access Living, Elastic Arts, Old Town School, Chicago Park District, and many more... She was selected to be one of Chicagoan artists to showcase for Dance/USA 2011 at the Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago. Wannapa has been part of Laura Crotte’s theatre group to present the “Day of the Death” show for students in Chicago schools. She is a former company member of Erasing the Distance [ETD.]: a documentary theatre exploring mental health. As one of the 4 selected grantees of ETD, she has conceived and produced the performance piece titled: “Through My Daughter’s Eyes” as part of the 2016 PopUp Series for Erasing the Distance by collaborating Theater, and Butoh in the work. Her recent work as a Movement Coach/Choreographer for Collectivo El Pozo theatre group, Her recent work as an actor, with Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble, "This Is Not A Pipe". She has taught Butoh workshops such as Butoh workshop for actors at Collaboraction Theatre Company, Erasing the Distance [Doc. Fest 2018], Halcyon Theatre, Butoh Body, Chicago Inclusive Dance Festival 2019 [Co-curated by Body Work, Access Living, and Momenta], and individual artists/actors as part of movement coaching. 

Manuela Rentea is very proud to be a company member of Trap Door Theatre! She was last seen in Joan and The Fire directed by Nicole Wiesner, Princess Ivona directed by Jenny Beacraft, The Old Woman Broods directed by Nicole Wiesner, and Naked directed by Kay Martinovich! She wants to say thank you to her mom, friends, and audience members for their constant support! A big shout out to her baby daughter Ana for teaching her to see the details in everything in life and who says: I can do all by my own mami, I am all grown up!

Chuck Spencer is a teacher, actor, and director. He currently teaches at City Colleges and Roosevelt University. He directed Stage Wright’s production of CLYBOURNE PARK and THE ADDAMS FAMILY MUSICAL as well as at Raven Theatre and The Chicago Academy for the Arts. Chuck is a Jeff Award winner receiving the honor portraying Ken Carpenter in Red Twist Theater’s production of MAN FROM NEBRASKA. He was also nominated for the Jeff Award for his portrayal of Willie Loman in Raven Theatre’s production of DEATH OF A SALESMAN. He has understudied at Steppenwolf and has performed with The Artistic Home, The Gift, Raven, Red Twist, Provision, Prop and Eclipse Theaters.

Most ROCO events are free with a $10 suggested donation (this happens to also be membership fee to join ROCO and support ROCO and its programs). 

Please RSVP by May 9th, 2023. 

BYOB and your favorite appetizer or snack to share.

Parking is free and available.