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Hi there! I'm Natalie, a Maryland-raised, Dublin-based writer, theatre artist, and scholar. I write political plays, often about Judaism and community ethics. I love plays that have music, people flailing about in their 20s, sibling characters, and/or break the rules of realism. As an actor, I relish sinking my teeth into classical text and new work alike. I earned my BA in Theatre and Religious Studies at Northwestern University in 2021. In the academic field of religion, I study theopolitical relationships with land and contested identity building, with an emphasis on contemporary Judaism. I'm currently completing an MPhil in Contextual Theologies and Interfaith Relations at Trinity College Dublin. When not writing, acting, or researching, I'm often playing the flute, sewing my own clothes with a misguided belief that pattern instructions are merely a suggestion, or panicking that I'm about to lose my Yiddish Duolingo streak. |
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Here's what I'm up to:
Mo Scéal Ar Scéal's inaugural event
This Spring, I was honored to read my new personal essay at Mo Scéal Ar Scéal's first ever event in Dublin. Stay tuned for publication news, and give this new inclusive storytelling initiative a follow on instagram for more live readings!
Uncovered Scenes from Ukraine
This Winter, I'm one of 25 writers paired with residents of Vinnytsia, Ukraine to write short plays inspired by the residents' lives for Uncovered Scenes - From Ukraine, a festival co-sponsored by Town Square Productions, Vinnytsia Mykola Sadovsky Music and Drama Theater, Ensemble Studio Theater, and New York City's Ukrainian Institute. Six plays will be performed in New York this March.
Its Alive!! presents The Chain
I'll be playing emo teen Hannah in this staged reading of Jesse Robkin's play The Chain, directed by Jessica Love. This will serve as the inaugural reading for Genderf*cked Productions' new workshop series of plays by transgender and nonbinary playwrights.
Mantua with Black Cat Theatre
We're traveling back to Mantua! This April, Black Cat Theatre will present a staged reading of my Romeo & Juliet riff, When She Went to Mantua. Auditions are open to Chicago-based actors now.
Judith Imeinu is a JPP semi-finalist
My play, Judith Imeinu, was named a Semi-Finalist in the Jewish Plays Project's National Jewish Playwriting Contest. You can read more about this on the "Writing" tab of this site!
The Jacaranda Tree reading
I'll be reading the role of Thanatos, the ancient Greek god of death, in Cori Lang's The Jacaranda Tree. This staged reading is Black Cat Theatre's first project, and I'm so excited to be supporting a new company alongside new work. Both shows are sold out but there will be 5 tickets available at the door each night!
Gut with Platform & Avalanche
I'll be performing in the world premiere of Gut, Alexander Attea's "historical gastrointestinal fantasia" based on the true story of Alexis St. Martin. This co-production between Platform and Avalanche Theatre runs September 23-October 15 at the Fine Arts Building.
EDP's Festival of Shorts
My short comedy, Monday Morning Still in the Park with George, is a finalist in this year's Festival of Shorts with the Edmonds Driftwood Players. See it performed June 29 - July 3!
Whiskey Radio Hour Live Recording
I'll be lending my voice to Zippy, a dating app AI chatbot in "Number's Game," a futuristic short play premiering in a live recording session of the Whiskey Radio Hour. Catch this and three other brand new radio plays on March 8th!
Twelfth Night with Midsommer Flight
Rehearsals have begun for Midsommer Flight's annual Twelfth Night at the Lincoln Park Conservatory. I'll be playing various ensemble roles, devising music and performing on the flute, and understudying Maria and Fabian.
Antigone is Jeff recommended!
The reviews are in, and Redtwist's Antigone is Jeff Recommended. We run through July 31, and you can get tickets at the link below!
Antigone at Redtwist Theatre
I'll be playing the role of Ismene in Redtwist Theatre's production of Antigone this June and July! As an actor and poet, I'm in awe of Anne Carson's translation, and I can't wait to bring my little sister energy to the stage.
The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe goes on tour
From March to August 2022, I'll be touring around Chicago-land in Improv Playhouse's production of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. I'll be reprising my first-ever acting role, Aslan, which I debuted in a mother-daughter book club skit in elementary school.
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ISE's Emerging Voices Seminar
On May 1st, I'll be joining several Trinity PhD and Master's students to provide international perspectives on fascism and freedom in a public seminar sponsored by the Irish School of Ecumenics. I'll be discussing how freedom is imagined in America through the lens of public holidays.
The Theo's Philips Prize for Oration
I'm proud to have been awarded the 2025 Philips Prize for Oration by the Theological Society, one of Trinity's oldest student organizations. This award recognizes my public speaking ability during the society's winter paper reading competition.
The Edward Cullen tour is back!
Explore 1910s Chicago history through the eyes of canonical Chicagoan Edward Cullen. A mixture of ghost stories, architecture fun facts, and irreverent academic speculation. Email worriesifnot[at]gmail.com for ticket info or to schedule a future tour!
Canadian Boyfriend staged reading
I'm producing Worries if Not's very first project, a staged reading of Canadian Boyfriend. This new play by Sam Springhorn will take you on a wild ride of middle school nostalgia, queer crushes, and catfishing. Reserve your PWYC ticket at the link below!
Introducing Worries if Not...
Worries if Not is Chicago's newest artist collective. We'll be producing accessible, community-oriented projects within and without the theatre world. Follow our instagram @worriesifnot for updates!
Monday Morning wins first place!
My short play, Monday Morning Still in the Park with George, won first place in the Judges' Choice category at the Edmonds Driftwood Players' Festival of Shorts. With over 300 initial submissions and 8 finalists, I'm honored to be given this award!
Filament summer camp/a new play!
Let's play astronauts together! This August, I'll be teaching an outer space and identity-themed camp with Filament Theatre. We'll improvise, write, devise, and lay the groundwork for my new TYA play, I Know a Lot of Facts about Outer Space.
GenZ wraps filming
Now in the editing booth, an existential comedy web series about kids these days and the zombie apocalypse. Stay tuned for more updates!
My Dear Alice podcast
Debuting serially this Fall, a narrative podcast all about pioneer female photographer Alice Austen. I lent my voice to read the letters of Bessie Strong, Alice's chatty and catty friend.
EFCT's Patchwork Festival
I'll be making my Chicago acting debut in "Spit Cat!" a one-act play within Eclectic Full Contact Theatre's first annual Patchwork Festival of new plays!
Night of Fights wraps filming
Which sword-swinging sister will win the fight for the throne? Watch our multimedia comic book/stage combat crossover to find out! It was such a joy to wrap up my Northwestern experience by dueling to the death with my best friends.
Without Wings
I played Ursa Major, a workaholic tooth fairy with a flair for the dramatic, in a workshop of Ilana Abusch's magical new play for young audiences!
When She Went to Mantua
A workshop production of my new Romeo & Juliet remix, When She Went to Mantua premiered as a part of Lovers & Madmen's 2021 Adaptation Festival. You can read more about this play by clicking the "Plays" tab under "Writing." |