The Thing That Comes to the Basement
Camilla Antie, an 8-year-old ant, discovers that just because someone looks different than you, does not mean they are frightening or that they cannot become your friend.
The Thing That Comes to the Basement is written by Chicago playwright Lori Taylor, directed by Lo Williams and stars Sydney Ray, Toma Lynn Smith and Hannah Strauss.
Biographies
Lori Taylor
Lori Taylor [she, her] (Playwright) is honored to return to Ghostlight for the second year in a row with her play, Splash of Magic. Her new chat fiction, Best Friends, will be featured on the upcoming Ttom App. Former productions include: Asherella (Ghostlight) and Grand’s Great Plan (University of Missouri-Columbia). Lori holds a Bachelor of Journalism degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a Juris Doctor degree from Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law. Lori would like to thank her family and friends for all of their love and continued support.
Lo Williams
Lo Williams [she/her] (Director) is thrilled to make her Ghostlight debut after recently becoming based in Chicago. She has been involved in the development of world premieres of Black theatrical productions in the capacities of director, playwright, actor and producer. A proud alumna of the National Theatre Institute and the Lin Manuel Miranda Family Fellowship, she is grateful for her experiences on and offstage at the Shakespeare Theatre Company and Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Lo is a graduate of the inaugural class of the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts at Howard University, having earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in theatre arts. She would like to thank her thoughtful boyfriend for encouraging her to pursue this opportunity.
Recent credits include: Rent (Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Assistant Director), Macbeth (PG County Shakespeare, “Lady Macbeth”). Website: lowilliams.live. Instagram: @its_the_lauraxx
Sydney Ray
Sydney Ray (Mom) is an actor and educator based in Chicago. Theatre credits include: The Princess Without Pots (Queen), Ghostlight Ensemble; The Wild Party (Kate), Music for Theatre Chicago; Into the Woods (Baker’s Wife) and Spoon River Anthology, E.D.G.E. Theatre; and Ruddigore (Women’s Chorus), Savoyaires. She is an Ensemble Member with Ghostlight Ensemble, and is incredibly delighted to be here with all of you today. A HUGE Thank You to her friends, family and teachers for their continuous support.
Toma Lynn Smith
Toma Lynn Smith (Monster/Natalia) is grateful to be a part in this play festival again. Smith has acted with other Chicago theatres, such as the Black Ensemble Theater, A Red Orchid Theatre, Facility Theatre, Artemisia Theatre, Silk Road Rising, Idle Muse Theatre Company, Theatre L'Acadie and Chicago Dramatists. She received acting and improv training from The Artistic Home, Acting Studio Chicago, Second City, Remy Bumppo Theatre Company and Vagabond School of the Arts. She is also a playwright, and she dedicates this performance to Kingston and Ruby.
Hannah René Straus
Hannah René Strauss [she/her] (Camilla Antie) graduated from Florida State University in 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts in theatre, and shortly after packed up a U-Haul with her best friend and moved to Chicago to pursue acting. Since her arrival she has performed with The Artistic Home in their Cut to the Chase festival, Bring Your Own Theatre Productions and The Lightbulb Factory on various storefront projects. Hannah would like to shout out Jessica Posey, her best friend, and Janey Elliott for recommending her for this role!