The Friend Box and The Box Friend
The Friend Box and The Box Friend takes place during a school show and tell when two friends both bring a very different “friend in a box” as their item and an argument ensues. But both kids come to realize that friendship — even if it comes in virtual or stuffie form — is more important than being right.
The Friend Box and The Box Friend was written by Chicago playwright Kim Z. Dale and is directed by Jonathan M. Saucedo.
Biographies
Kim Z. Dale
Kim Z. Dale [she/her] (Playwright) writes plays, essays and short fiction. Her first children’s play Ava’s First Escape Room premiered in Ghostlight’s 2020 Make/Believe Festival. Kim's other plays include Endeavor Mind, which premiered at the Den Theatre in Chicago in October 2018, produced by The Plagiarists. Like many playwrights Kim has a master's degree from Carnegie Mellon University, but unlike most playwrights her degree is in information security policy. Kim thanks her kids for the inspiration for this play and her husband for his continued support.
Jonathan M. Saucedo
Jonathan M. Saucedo (Director) is delighted to work with Ghostlight Ensemble after appearing in their reading of The Thirteenth Chair in Season 3. Jonathan, a multidisciplinary artist with a focus on acting, directing, writing and teaching has trained with Chicago’s Green Shirt Studio and holds a Bachelor of Arts in theatre and secondary education from Loyola University Chicago. Currently, he is pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in writing from Lindenwood University and introducing a drama program at Roosevelt Middle School where he spends his summer days teaching and having fun. Having spent a great deal of his career working with students with special needs and now as an artist living with disability himself, he is passionate about the art of communication with an emphasis on inclusion for all. Acting credits include In an Instant with Unheard of Company, The Living with Oakton Performing Arts Center, Label with Equal Opportunity Reaction Theatre, Not Quite a Christmas Carol with Fox and the Phoenix Theatre and The Sightless, an independent pop up production in Chicago. Jonathan is based in the Chicagoland area and sends warmth to all as we strive for connection, both virtual and in person, with full hearts and kindness.
Tommy Blackburn
Tommy Blackburn (Sebastian). After attending Loyola University and receiving his Bachelor of Arts in theatre, Tommy moved to the Tampa Florida area and started a family. He lives with his amazing wife Samantha and two boys, Elliott and Oliver. Tommy is excited to be performing again, with such a great group of artists.
Heather Nicole Bronson
Heather Nicole Bronson [she, her] (Sam) is thrilled to be making her (virtual) Chicago theatre debut with Ghostlight. She currently resides in Asheville, North Carolina, but hopes to relocate to Chicago in the next year to further explore the theatre scene. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in musical theatre from Mars Hill University in 2014 and has been active in the Western North Carolina theatre community since. She toured the east coast with Bright Star Children’s Theatre in 2017, performing as Alice in Alice in Wonderland among other roles. Other favorite credits include Queen Zombina in Zombies from the Beyond (MHU), Ruby in Dames at Sea (MHU) and Little Red Riding Hood in Into the Woods (Haywood Arts Regional Theatre). Special thanks to Jean Burr for getting Heather involved with Ghostlight and to Bobby Strong for their unwavering friendship and love.
Meg Collins
Meg Collins [she, her] (Ms. Kuber) is delighted to be performing for the first time with Ghostlight Ensemble Theatre. She thanks her director, Jonathan Saucedo, for the opportunity. Meg has enjoyed her role in the lovely play The Friend Box and the Box Friend by Kim Z. Dale. It is a timely play with a lasting message.
Meg’s previous theatre experience has been with a variety of community theatres throughout Chicago. Her credits include: Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Goose (James Downy Theatre), The Sightless (Silver Room Productions), Anything Goes, Our Town, Can’t Take It Wit You (Trinity Players Chicago), Bald Soprano, America Hurrah A Flea in Her Ear (Unity Players), A Piece of My Heart, Grapes of Wrath, 12 Angry Jurors (Hale Park Theatre Guild).
Meg is a former Chicago Public School teacher and has always valued the voice of children in the performing arts and exploring their way through Readers Theatre.
Terri Lynne Hudson
Terri Lynne Hudson [she, her] (J.J) has most recently appeared in Strawdog Theatre Company's devised ensemble production How Do We Navigate Space? and will appear as Lady Capulet in Accidental Shakespeare Company's upcoming Romeo and Juliet. She is represented by BMG Talent. Thanks to Charles for all his help and support.