NEXT!

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Janus Theatre Company opens its 28th season featuring Ben Jonson's comedy The Alchemist adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher and directed by Artistic Director Sean Hargadon.

This will be the first production in the New Elgin Art Showcase, located at 220 Dupage Street in downtown Elgin, March 13-29, 2026.

Purchase Tix: HERE

When a wealthy gentleman flees to the country during an epidemic, his trusted servant opens his house to a pair of con artists and sets up a den of criminal capitalism. Claiming alchemical powers, the quick-witted trio dupe the neighbors with their virtuosic ability to improvise amidst increasingly frantic comings and goings. It’s comic gold with dupes, double-dupes, duels, disguises, and a lucky flea named “Lewis."

This production is part of this year’s Greed is Good: A Season of Corruption and features classic stories from the past brought to life for today’s audience. The production is sponsored in part by the City of Elgin and Elgin Cultural Arts Commission.

The Alchemist is produced and directed by Sean Hargadon, stage-managed by Elizabeth Dawson with costumes by Tiffany Jasinski, intimacy coordination by Toria Hollyn and fight direction by Stetson Cross.

The Company

Face…………….……Aaron Hoge
Subtle…………….….Benedict L. Slabik II
Dol Common………..Julie Bayer
Dapper…………….…Dan Stromquist
Abel Drugger………...Zach Flax
Sir Epicure Mammon……Steve Connell
Ananias………………Stephen Pickering
Kastril………………...Matt Johnson
Surly…………………..Dustin Ayers
Dame Pliant………….Tessa Dougherty

Also featuring understudies Tiffany Jasinski, Danielle Spence, Richard Isemonger, Blake Piwowar, Paul Anderson, Christian Colucci, and Sean Unverzagt.

Running Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm, March 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29 along with a Thursday understudy performance on March 26 at 8pm. Performances take place at the New Elgin Art Showcase, 220 Dupage Street, downtown Elgin, IL. Tickets are $25.

ACTOR BIOS

Aaron Hoge* (Face) returns after playing Bassanio in The Merchant of Venice. Recent work includes: John in "Still Alice" at Wheaton Drama, Tessman in Hedda Gabler and Frank in School for Lies with Janus Theatre Company. Aaron is ever grateful for the love, support and patience of his wife Denise.

‍Benedict L. Slabik II* (Subtle) is honored to be working with Janus after playing Gratiano in The Merchant of Venice. Some recent credits include: Every Brilliant Thing (Himself) with Janus, Young Frankenstein (Frederick Frankenstein) with WDI, Miss Bennett (Bingley) with BTE, multiple roles with the Elgin Shakespeare Project, The 39 Steps (Hannay) with SBT, and more. Benedict has completed the improv program with Chicago's Io Theater and is also a member of VTG as a representative of their play reading committee. Benedict would like to thank everyone in his life for their unrelenting support both on and off stage. This is dedicated, as always, to Nicole.

‍Julie Bayer* (Dol Common): Julie is glad to return to Janus Theatre! Most recently, she was seen in School For Lies (Celimene) and performed roles in The Ibsen Project: Hedda, The Maids, Beowulf, Henry V, MacBeth, On The Verge, Shakespeare’s Sister, Unrehearsed Shakespeare: (Merchant of Venice, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and The Tempest), and Circle Mirror Transformation. Other credits include The Lyric Opera Chorus; Sweeney Todd (Paramount Theatre); Baby and It Runs in the Family (Citadel Theatre) Drood (Fox Valley Repertory); Persuasion (Chamber Opera Chicago: UK, Chicago, NYC tours); Dial M for Murder, A Christmas Carol (Metropolis PAC); Jekyll and Hyde, Promises, Promises, Noises Off!, The Dinner Party (Brightside Theatre); The 39 Steps, Me and Jezebel, The Odd Couple, Silent Sky, The Importance of Being Earnest (Steel Beam Theatre). Enjoy the show!

‍Zach Flax (Abel Drugger) is thrilled to be making his Janus debut! You may have seen him in Music on Stage’s “The Wedding Singer”(Sammy), Wheaton Drama’s “Young Frankenstein” (Ziggy), or one of the many sketch comedy shows at Cornservatory Theatre. He studied theatre in Florida and doesn’t recommend it. He sends much love to this incredible cast, big thanks to Ben for opening the door, and endless appreciation to Heather Meyer for everything she does.

Dan Stromquist (Dapper) is grateful to be returning to Janus Theatre after playing Salarino in The Merchant of Venice. He previously appeared in A Midsummer Night's Dream and Twelfth Night Unrehearsed. Dan has also worked with Riverfront Playhouse (Da), Shakespeare at the Centre (Love's Labour's Lost), and has been an understudy for Buffalo Theatre Ensemble.

‍Steve Connell (Sir Epicure Mammon) is thrilled to be rejoining Janus Theatre in this fun (and funny) production after last appearing in Janus’ 2023 production of Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde. Over the past 24 years, he has performed many times as Scrooge in A Christmas Carol at the Metropolis Performing Arts Center in Arlington Heights. He has also played the same role at the Steel Beam Theatre in St. Charles and at the Woodstock Opera House. Other favorite roles have included Don Quixote in Man of La Mancha and Alan Swann in My Favorite Year.  Steve retired in 2012 from teaching physics at Larkin High School and now hails from Crystal Lake, along with his (loving and supportive) wife, Amy!

‍Dustin Ayers (Surly, Face u/s) is very excited to be a part of The Alchemist. Previously he was Antonio in The Merchant of Venice with Janus Theatre. He recently worked with Yellow Rose Theater in The Seven Year Glitch. He has also worked with Buffalo Theatre Ensemble as an understudy in The Outsider, The Outgoing Tide, Andy Warhol’s Tomato and Clybourne Park. Dustin studied Performance Theater at the Conservatory at Roosevelt University.

Stephen Pickering (Ananias) is excited to return to Janus, where he played the Duke in The Merchant of Venice and Clitander in School for Lies! Other area stage appearances include A Bit ‘o the Bard, A Bit o’ the Bard: Something Wicked (Woodstock Shakespeare Players); Legally Blonde, Metamorphoses, Present Laughter (MCC Black Box Theatre); It’s a Wonderful Life (Improv Playhouse); Much Ado About Nothing (Silverstage Theatre); The Second-to-Last Exit (Village Theatre Guild); Spider’s Web, 12 Angry Men, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (Parker Players);  Groundhog Day, Puffs, Noises Off (Lou Award) (Theatre 121); Film — She’s Having a Baby, The Grey Girl, Love Language, A Working Man;  TV – Monster: The Ed Gein Story, Greatest Prison Escapes.  Stephen would like to thank Sean, Trish, and and the entire production team; his incredible castmates; Amy, Kyleen, Will, and Simon; Madeline, Julie, Jennifer, and the Effervescence of Elizabeths. https://linktr.ee/StephenPickering

Matt Johnson (Kastril, Subtle u/s) returns after playing Lancelot Gobbo in The Merchant of Venice. Previous roles Matt has played are the Porter in Macbeth, Feste in Twelfth Night, and most importantly, himself. He endlessly thanks his greatest fool, I mean, supporter, his dad, for all of his love and wisdom.

Tessa Dougherty (Dame Pliant) is completely elated to be a part of this production after playing Jessica in The Merchant of Venice. Past theatre credits include: MACBETH (Lady M, and a Witch) TAMING OF THE SHREW (Kate), THE TEMPEST (Ariel), AS YOU LIKE IT (Rosalind), CLUE (Scarlet), and NOW AND THEN (Abby). Thank you to her parents for their constant support, her sisters, her Matty, the best scene partner, the moon shines bright but you shine brighter. She dedicates all of her performances to the memory of her late grandmother, Nanny, a lover of the arts. A very Special thanks to Sean. A brilliant director for helping her chase her dreams and giving her the opportunity to work with him and this wonderful cast. 

Tiffany Jasinski* (Costumes, Dol Common u/s) is so excited and grateful to be sharing the stage with such an incredibly talented ensemble. She is immensely thankful for Sean, the cast and the crew for making this process unforgettable, powerful and exhilarating. In 2024, you may have seen Tiffany as Charlotte in The Revolutionists, Sonia in Life Sucks or as a Witch in Macbeth with Janus. Some other past credits include Paula in D.O.A, Darla/Nurse in Tin Woman, Charlotte in These Shining Lives, Jack in The Importance of Being Ernest, Catherine in In the Next Room, Gayle in Sunday on the Rocks, etc. She is also a proud member of Janus Theatre Company and the Elgin Shakespeare Project. Tiffany would like to thank her friends and family, especially her Mama (you are my rock, my comfort and my whole heart), for always being patient during her chaos; and for supporting her dreams and her utter ridiculousness. Enjoy the show! 

‍Paul Anderson (Sir Epicure Mammon u/s) returns after playing Tubal in The Merchant of Venice. Last seen at Steel Beam Theatre as Scrooge in The Ultimate Christmas Carol, Paul was in last season’s MacBeth at the Moonlight Theatre with Janus. Other Janus shows include DOA at Steel Beam, and Circle Mirror Transformation at the Art Center. When not acting Paul is in a band, The Keystrings, and has been studying classical piano. Excited to be acting with wife Susan again. Thanks, Sean!

Danielle Spence (Dame Pliant u/s) is thrilled to return to Janus Theatre Company. Professional credits: Velma Von Tussle in Hairspray (Beverly Arts Center), u.s. Mother/Clara in Bright Lights, Big City (The Beautiful City Project), and Mrs. Fezziwig in A Christmas Carol (Metropolis Performing Arts Centre). Chicagoland credits: Carole King in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Rose Theatrics), Marta in Company (point2productions), and Inga in Young Frankenstein (Theatre on the Hill). WARNING: No philosopher’s stone will be distributed this evening, just comedy and theatrical mischief worth its weight in gold.

Richard Isemonger (Drugger/Dapper u/s) is very excited to be returning to the Janus Theatre stage. Richard has been seen in The Importance of Being Earnest, Dry Powder, and some Unrehearsed Shakespeare. Richard would like to thank his friends and family for the constant support and encouragement. Richard is excited to be sharing the stage with all these incredibly talented people and hopes everyone enjoys the fun.

Christian Colucci (Surly u/s) is excited to return to Janus after appearing in our 2024 Halloween run of Macbeth as MacDuff and initially portraying Roma in the Albright Theatre production of Glengarry Glen Ross. At The Artistic Home in Chicago, Christian played Pete in Requiem for a Heavyweight, a Jeff Award winning Best Production (Play). Christian trained at Black Box ACADEMY Acting Conservatory and The Second City Training Center.

Sean Unverzagt (Ananias u/s) is extremely excited to join Janus Theatre Company for The Alchemist!  He has recently appeared in The Tempest (Caliban) at the Elgin Theatre Company, Bit o the Bard: Something Wicked (Richard III) for Theatre 121 in Woodstock, and A Cripple Creek Christmas (Fergus/Stratton) at the Raue Center for the Arts in Crystal Lake. Sean would like to thank his wife Naomi and his family for their endless love and support.

Elizabeth Dawson* (Stage Manager) absolutely elated to be part of the inaugural production in the new Elgin Art Showcase with this superlative company and cast!  She's most recently been on stage as Maria in Love's Labour's Lost (iambe), and is still pinching herself to have been recently counted as a company member of Janus Theatre, for whom she's recently  stage managed School For Lies and Macbeth. On stage you might have seen her as Lucia (and others) in Janus's Filumena; ETC's Sylvia (Sylvia), Pygmalion (Mrs. Pearce), and War of the Worlds radio play (Announcer 2, commercial singer). Other favorite roles include Gal in the original production of All the World's a Stage (Fremont St. Theater Company), Myrtle Brown in Morning's at Seven (RCLPC Theatre), and Daphne Stillington in Present Laughter (Independent Players). Elizabeth is only able to do this because of the patient and unending support of her Wonderful, Ed. She'd also like to thank YOU for supporting local theater! Grab your popcorn (wait, wrong venue) and enjoy the show!

*Denotes Core Company Member

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A‍UDITION NOTICE

An Enemy of the People by Henrik Ibsen

‍WHO: Janus Theatre Company is seeking actors for its spring production of An Enemy of the People by Henrik Ibsen, adapted and directed by Sean Hargadon. For more information about the play, go to: An Enemy of the People - Wikipedia.

‍The production runs at the New Elgin Art Showcase, 220 Dupage Street, downtown Elgin, IL, 60120. The production runs May 8– 24.

‍There is a small stipend: $200 for regular cast roles. $100 for understudy roles.

‍WHEN: Monday, March 16 at 7pm. Actors attend one day. Callbacks as needed.

‍WHERE: New Elgin Art Showcase, 220 Dupage Street, downtown Elgin, 60120. Park on the street.

WHAT: Open Call. No appointment is necessary. Actors will be seen in order of arrival. All ethnicities and genders welcome. Auditions will consist of cold readings. Headshot and resume are optional.

‍Seeking the following roles for the regular cast:

‍PETRA STOCKMANN – Early 20s. A hard-working schoolteacher. Idealistic. A free thinker.

‍BILLING – 20s. An assistant editor for the local newspaper. A radical, but also ambitious and plans to run for office. He is fond of Petra.

‍CAPTAIN HORSTER – 20s. A ship captain who has little interest in local politics.

‍CITIZENS (as part of the audience) – Townspeople of different ages

‍ Also seeking understudies to cover the following roles:

‍DR. THOMAS STOCKMANN – 40s or 50s. Medical Director of the Baths.
PETRA STOCKMANN – Early 20s. Thomas’s daughter, a schoolteacher.
PETER STOCKMANN – 50s or 60s. Thomas’s brother, the town Mayor.
HOVSTAD – 30s. Editor of the People’s Messenger.
BILLING – 20s. Works for Hovstad.
ASLAKSEN – 50s or 60s. Chair of the Property Owners’ Association.
CAPTAIN HORSTER – 20s. A ship’s captain.
MORTEN KIIL – 60s or 70s. Thomas’s father-in-law, owner of a tannery.

‍Time Commitment:
Rehearsals will be conducted primarily in Elgin. Rehearsals will begin on March 30, running three nights a week and one weekend day/night. Performance dates: May 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24: Friday and Saturday evenings with Saturday and Sunday matinees. Performances will take place at the New Elgin Art Showcase.

Questions: 
For further information or questions, please email janus.auditions@gmail.com or go to the website at www.janusplays.com. 

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ABOUT JANUS THEATRE COMPANY
Janus Theatre Company has produced more than 115 productions and is an award-winning 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization of trained theatre professionals, who strive to present work that is classic and contemporary, bringing the actor and audience closer together. Our work is fun, challenging and raises questions. Janus is about developing people. Since we started, we’ve always been interested in helping our artists grow while sharing the gift of performance with our audiences. We explore, create, question, and pursue new forms of theater and found spaces for all audiences. Learn more: https://janusplays.com/.

To learn more about what we’ve been up to, please visit our latest BLOG post below or just click here.

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Finding a Shared Space

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