Hannah and Halmoni Save the World!
Hannah and Halmoni Save the World! is the story of Hannah, who by day is a 7-year-old girl who lives with her Korean American grandma. But by night, grandma transforms into a SUPERHERO named Halmoni (that’s the Korean word for grandma, if you were wondering)! But when it’s Hannah’s turn to be the hero, not the sidekick, can she step up and save the day? Hannah and Halmoni Save the World champions asking for help, self-forgiveness and super awesome theme songs for the young AND old among us.
Hannah and Halmoni Save the World! was written by Juliet Kang Huneke, is directed by Karina Patel and stars Rick Hilscher, Kristen Lin Waagner and Emily Zhang.
Biographies
Juliet Kang Huneke
Juliet Kang Huneke (Playwright) is a playwright and performer who is passionate about theatre that is larger than life. She is a recent graduate of Northwestern University, where her play Centerville New Jersey Has a Problem with Trout was produced by Vertigo Productions as their fall mainstage in 2021, and her play The Wild was workshopped by Jewish Theatre Ensemble in March 2021. Juliet is also the book writer for a new musical, Home for the Summer, in collaboration with Brandon Acosta (music) and Bennett Petersen (lyrics), which was workshopped by the American Music Theatre Project in 2022. In summer 2022, Juliet acted in The 24 Hour Plays: Nationals at Theatre Row in New York City. When she’s not writing or acting, Juliet teaches silly little classes as a silly little teaching artist at Chicago Children’s Theatre. www.julietkanghuneke.com
Karina Patel
Karina Patel [she/her)] (Director) is a theatre-maker based in Chicago, originally from London and raised everywhere else! A recent graduate of Northwestern University (‘22), she has since been directing and devising with APIDA Arts Festival, The Actor’s Gymnasium, Token Theatre, The 24 Hour Plays, Pocket Theatre VR and is a 2022-2023 Directing Apprentice at PlayGround Chicago. Assistant/Associate Directing credits include: FEN (Court Theatre), Bald Sisters (Steppenwolf Theatre Co.), Lookingglass Alice (Lookingglass Theatre Company) and House of Joy (Repertory Theatre of St Louis). In her free time, you can find Karina reading, puzzling, and making excuses to get bubble tea for the third time that week. She especially loves playtime with Juliet, Hannah, Halmoni and Mr Plant!
Rick Hilscher
Rick Hilscher [he, him] (Mr. Plant) is thrilled to be making his Ghostlight debut. Recent credits include Peerless, Sense and Sensibility and Secret in the Wings. Rick graduated from Northwestern University, where he studied theatre and economics. Thanks to friends and family for all their love and support.
Kristen Lin Waagner
Kristen Lin Waagner [she/her] (Halmoni) is thrilled to be making her Ghostlight debut. Favorite recent projects include performing in The Ballad of Mu Lan and choreographing Lyle the Crocodile at Northwestern University. She will graduate this June from NU, where she studied theatre and Asian American Studies. Special thanks to Karina and Juliet, and all my love to Mattea.
Emily Zhang
Emily Zhang [she/her] (Hannah) is excited for her first show with Ghostlight! Recently, she was seen in The Mall The Mall The Mall at Greenhouse Theater Center, Woo Girls at the Factory Theatre, and understudied in Among the Dead at Jackalope Theatre. Other credits include When the Sun Melts Away with Token Theatre and Bechdel Fest 9 at Broken Nose Theatre. She recently graduated from Northwestern University with a Bachelor of Arts in theatre, where her favorite college credits include Powell in Men on Boats and M in peerless. She is represented by Gray Talent Group.