Shattered Globe Theatre is pleased to open its 36th Season with the Midwest premiere of Erika Sheffer's Vladimir, an unflinching drama of resistance directed by Ensemble Member Lou Contey*, playing October 2 – November 14, 2026 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood. Single tickets ($20 – $60) are now on sale at SGTheatre.org, by calling (773) 975-8150 or in person at the Theater Wit Box Office.
Vladimir features Ensemble Members Rebecca Jordan*, Drew Schad* and Adam Schulmerich*, Associate Artist Steve Peebles+, with Isabel Alamein, Kseniya Janyan, Juliana Liscio, Laila Malak, Tristan Odenkirk and Ben Perry.
About the Production:
In a world where facts are manipulated and fear is currency, the truth becomes dangerous.
As a new authoritarian government tightens its grip on Russia, Erika Sheffer's Vladimir follows an independent journalist who uncovers a story that could expose the truth behind a nation in transition. But when every headline comes with consequences and every source becomes a target, she must decide how much she's willing to sacrifice for the story. Vladimir is a gripping political thriller about what happens when silence becomes complicity.
The production team includes Joe Shermoly (Scenic Designer), KClare McKellaston (Costume Designer), Shelley Strasser* (Lighting Designer), Christopher Kriz+ (Original Music and Sound Designer), Cecilia Chan (Props Designer), Erin Pleake (Projection Designer), Elise Kauzlaric (Dialect Coach), Maren Robinson (Dramaturg), Catherine Miller (Casting Director), Ellie Fey* (Assistant Lighting Designer), E Tylkowski (Production Manager), Nick Peebles (Technical Director), Leah Donovan (Lead Electrician), Tina M. Jach* (Production Stage Manager) and Emily Nicholas (Assistant Stage Manager).
*Denotes SGT Ensemble Member +Denotes SGT Artistic Associate
Vladimir
Playwright: Erika Sheffer
Director: Ensemble Member Lou Contey
Cast (in alphabetical order): Isabel Alamein (Daughter, Masha, TV Crew), Kseniya Janyan (Chovka, Makeup Lady), Rebecca Jordan* (Raya), Juliana Liscio (Galina), Laila Malak (Tatiana, Bartender, Book Clerk), Tristan Odenkirk (Yevgeny, Cameraman), Steve Peebles+ (Andrei, Old Man, Deacon), Ben Perry (Director, Vitaly, News Personality, Sasha), Drew Schad* (Jim) and Adam Schulmerich* (Kostya).
Location: Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago
Dates: Previews: Friday, October 2 at 7:30 pm, Saturday, October 3 at 7:30 pm, Sunday, October 4 at 3 pm and Wednesday, October 7 at 7:30 pm
Opening: Thursday, October 8, 2026 at 7:30 pm
Regular run: Saturday, October 10 – Saturday, November 14, 2026
Curtain Times: Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30 pm; Sundays at 3 pm. Please note: there will not be a 7:30 pm performance on Friday, October 9 or Saturday, October 31; there will be an added 3 pm performance on Saturday November 14.
Tickets: Previews: $25. Regular run: $20 - $60. Student, veteran/active military and teacher discounts available. Single tickets are available at SGTheatre.org, by calling (773) 975-8150 or in person at the Theater Wit Box Office. Season Traveler memberships starting at $55 are also available. For information on group discounts, e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call (773) 770-0333.
About the Artists:
Erika Sheffer (Playwright, Vladimir) is a playwright and screenwriter based in Los Angeles. Her first play, Russian Transport, premiered at The New Group and went on to productions at Steppenwolf as well as other regional and international theaters. The Fundamentals was commissioned and produced by Steppenwolf. Her latest play, Vladimir was commissioned by The Geffen Playhouse and received its world premiere at Manhattan Theatre Club. Honors include the Paula Vogel Playwriting Award, multiple TCG Edgerton Grants and an Outer Critics Circle Award nomination. She is an alum of Ars Nova Playgroup and a member of Center Theatre Group's LA Writer's Workshop. Erika has held commissions from Steppenwolf, The Geffen Playhouse, Center Theatre Group and Manhattan Theatre Club. Screen credits include Apple TV's Little America and Netflix's The Beast in Me (Writers Guild nomination). as well as multiple development rooms for Apple TV, Starz and Sony.
Lou Contey (Director, Vladimir) is a long-time Ensemble Member with Shattered Globe Theatre. He recently directed the multiple award-winning production of A View from the Bridge. Shattered Globe credits include The Manchurian Candidate, A Streetcar Named Desire, All My Sons, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Peter Pan, Les Liaisons Dangereuse, Warhawks and Lindberghs, Holy Ghosts, Judgement at Nuremberg, Requiem for a Heavyweight, The Whaleship Essex, In the Heat of the Night, The Tall Girls, The Heavens are Hung in Black, and many others. Among his more than eighty directing credits are The Price, Awake and Sing!, It's All True, Copenhagen. Pravda, Paradise Lost, The General from America, A House with No Walls, Lillian, Frost/Nixon, The Guys and The Apple Family Plays, all at TimeLine where he is an Associate Artist. Other Chicago credits include The Master and Margarita (Strawdog Theatre); In a Garden (A Red Orchid Theatre); Marriage Play, Duck Variations (The Goodman Theatre) and Haymarket Eight (Steppenwolf). He has also worked at Theatre at the Center, Buffalo Theatre Ensemble, Provision Theatre, Eclipse Theatre and American Theatre Company. He has taught acting and directing for the theatre programs at UIC, The Acting Studio, Act One Studio and The Theatre School/DePaul University.
Isabel Alamein (Daughter, Masha, TV Crew, U/S Chovka, Makeup Lady, she/her) is thrilled to be a part of Vladimir! Recent favorite credits include the world premiere of Pilgrimage (Golden Thread Productions) and several feature films in post-production. Outside of acting, Isabel is a visual artist and dancer. Thank you to the production team, and to every person speaking truth to power.
Kseniya Janyan (Chovka, Makeup Lady, she/her) is an Armenian-Egyptian and Russian actress who's never quite settled anywhere, but who recently made the migration from her American home in New York to the welcoming, collaborative spirit of Chicago's creative community. Recent local credits include: King John (Circuit Theatre Company), Wish You Were Here (Remy Bumppo Theatre Company), How To Defend Yourself (Odds & Ends Theatre Company), Pigeon Whole (Eclectic Full Contact Theatre), Ubu: the King (Facility Theatre). She extends her gratitude to you and your continuous support of storefront theater, to the tireless and talented cast and crew of Vladimir, and most urgently – to the people behind the stories who fought for the humanity within them.
Rebecca Jordan (Raya, she/her) is super excited to reunite with director Lou Contey at their artistic home. Rebecca was most recently seen in the world premiere of Eelpout by Paul W. Kruse. And before that, in London Road, which received the Jeff Award for Best Production – Musical in 2024 – both at Shattered Globe Theatre, where she has been a founding ensemble member for 36 years. Other SGT favorites include Marvin's Room, Mill Fire, A View from the Bridge (Jeff nomination, best actress supporting), The Manchurian Candidate, All My Sons, Anna Karenina (Jeff nomination, best actress lead), Rocket to the Moon and Judgment at Nuremberg. Rebecca received Joseph Jefferson awards for her portrayals of Stella in A Streetcar Named Desire and for Pam in Frozen Assets at SGT. She also performed at the Goodman Theatre in House and Garden, Trojan Women and the world premiere of Rebecca Gilman's Blue Surge. In Los Angeles, Rebecca played the role of Susan opposite Ed Harris, Bill Pullman and the late Glenne Headley in the world premiere of The Jacksonian at the Geffen Playhouse, penned by Beth Henley and directed by Robert Falls. Other Los Angeles credits include The Butcher of Baraboo at The Road Theater, Fatboy (LA Ovation nomination for best comedic role) and Scarcity (LA Scenie award for best actress), both at Need Theater. Some TV credits include Chicago Med, Empire, PKD's Electric Dreams, Chicago Justice, Shameless, Eagleheart. Rebecca has just finished penning her second feature film. She is grateful and proud to be represented by Stewart Talent, Chicago.
Juliana Liscio (Galina, she/her) is thrilled to return to Shattered Globe, where she was a 2022 Protégé and understudied Catherine in A View From the Bridge (Jeff Award Winner – Best Production; Best Director). She recently made her Los Angeles theatre debut in the world premiere of Julie Shavers' The Baptist Witches of Shelbyville, starring Mamie Gummer. Chicago theatre: The Diary of Anne Frank (Young People's Theatre of Chicago), Picasso at the Lapin Agile and Brighton Beach Memoirs (Citadel Theatre), Six Stories Up (co-writer/performer, Tellin' Tales Theatre), Dracula (Surging Films and Theatrics), A Midsummer Night's Dream (understudy, Oak Park Festival Theatre), The Jacksonian (Profiles Theatre) and Take Me Back (The Poor Theatre). Tour: Space Station Safety (The National Theatre for Children). Film: Smiles, The Vigil. Her play Rambutan received a reading through Steppenwolf's LookOut series. Her writing has also been developed through Chicago Dramatists and the Inclusive Playwright Project. Training: Loyola University Chicago; Fordham London Dramatic Academy; Beverly Hills Playhouse.
Laila Malak (Tatiana, Bartender, Book Clerk, she/her) is a Chicago-based actor/singer/writer who earned her BFA in Acting from Ball State University. She was last seen in Anatomy of a Suicide directed by Alex Mallory. Other credits include: DoProcess's reading of the new musical (out), 24 hour play festival: Ad Infinitum (Sub Rosa Theatre Collective), Our Town directed by David Little, An Enemy of the People adapted and directed by Zoé Soteres, The Polar Express (Rail Events Inc.), Macbeth (Hoosier Shakespeare), The Children's Hour directed by Veronica Santoyo. Laila is thrilled to be making her Shattered Globe Theatre debut! Instagram: laila_malak24
Tristan Odenkirk (Yevgeny, he/him) is a Chicago actor making his debut at Theater Wit, one of his favorite stages in the city. Tristan received his Bachelor's in Theater from Augustana College in 2020 and graduated from the Chicago Black Box Drama School Actor's Studio training program in December of 2023. Tristan's work alternates between the professional and amateur. Most recently, he played Al Capone in Outta This World! at iO Theater. He also played Tibult with Midsommer Flight, and the lead in Trap Door's Fraudulent LLC.
Steve Peebles (Andrei, Old Man, Deacon) has worked with SGT in London Road (Jeff Winner, Best Musical, Nominee Best Ensemble) Becky Nurse of Salem, Hannah and Martin, Five Mile Lake, In The Heat of the Night, The Whaleship Essex and Our Country's Good. Other Chicago credits include: Macbeth (Three Crows), Spamalot! (The Mercury), Peter and the Star Catcher (Metropolis Performing Arts), Cyrano (Boho), Midsummer Night's Dream (First Folio) and Flanagan's Wake. Other credits: Kalamazoo Christmas! (Farmer's Alley Theater), Into The Woods (Two Pigs - Ratone, NM), The Shrew (P45 - Traverse City, MI), and seven tours with Montana Shakespeare in the Parks. Steve is an Artistic Associate with SGT, a graduate of North Central College, and has been featured on The Moth Radio Hour after winning the Moth GrandSlam in 2022.
Ben Perry (Director, Vitaly, News Personality, Sasha, he/him) is excited to be returning to SGT! Chicago credits include A View From The Bridge (Shattered Globe Theatre), Antigone, Dante 360 (Athenaeum Center), The Elephant Man (Surging Film & Theatrics), The Tragedy of King Christophe (House Theatre of Chicago), The Prodigal Prince (The Veil Theatre) and performing with the Harold Team Jackie Bass at Improv Olympics. Regional credits include Noises Off, Young Frankenstein, Murder on the Orient Express, Stranger Sings (Wolfbane Productions), The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged, Parade, Newsies and The Will Rogers Follies (Alluvion Stage Company).
Drew Schad* (Jim, he/him) is excited to be back on stage at Shattered Globe Theatre, where he has been an ensemble member since 2009. Drew has appeared in over 15 SGT productions, including: Rasheeda Speaking, Sheepdog, Hannah and Martin, Crime and Punishment, Five Mile Lake, The Heavens Are Hung in Black, In the Heat of the Night, The Rose Tattoo, The Whaleship Essex, Mill Fire, Our Country's Good, Happy Now?, Her Naked Skin, Orpheus Descending, Romeo and Juliet and The Little Foxes. Other Chicago credits include: Born Yesterday (Remy Bumppo, Jeff Award Best Production Midsize) and Six Degrees of Separation (Eclipse). TV credits include: 61st Street (AMC), Chicago P.D. (NBC) and Chicago Med (NBC). Drew has studied at the National Theater Institute, and he holds a BA in Drama from Kenyon College, where he received the Paul Newman Trophy. He is a proud member of SAG-AFTRA.
Adam Schulmerich (Kostya, he/him) is an ensemble member with Shattered Globe. Recent SGT credits; Lobby Hero, Becky, Nurse of Salem and A View from the Bridge. Other recent credits; Superior Donuts (The Artistic Home), Macbeth (Lakeside Shakespeare). Recent television credits include Chicago Med and Mr. Throwback. Adam received his BFA in Theatre Arts & Film from SUNY Purchase College. He is represented by Gray Talent Group.
About Shattered Globe Theatre
Shattered Globe Theatre seeks to redefine what it means to be an ensemble theatre, discover new connections between story, artist and audience, and explore drama from bold, challenging perspectives.
Shattered Globe Theatre was born in a storefront space on Halsted Street in 1991. Since then, SGT has produced more than 80 plays, including ten American and world premieres, and garnered an impressive 53 Jeff Awards and 134 Jeff Award nominations, as well as the acclaim of critics and audiences alike. Guided by Producing Artistic Director Sandy Shinner, Shattered Globe's values are rooted in a commitment to racial equity, respect for all artists and support for the ensemble, while creating new opportunities to amplify traditionally marginalized voices and collaborate in all aspects of its work. Through initiatives such as the Protégé Program, Shattered Globe creates a space which allows emerging artists to grow and share in the ensemble experience.
Shattered Globe Theatre's Ensemble includes Judy Anderson, Louis Contey, David Dastmalchian, Demetra Dee, Joe Forbrich, Ellie Fey, Christina Gorman, Daria Harper, Kotryna Hilko, Tina M. Jach, Rebecca Jordan, Steve Kleinedler, Vivian Knouse, AmBer Montgomery, Tina Muñoz Pandya, Eileen Niccolai, Jazzma Pryor, Deanna Reed-Foster, Linda Reiter, Jeff Rodriguez, Drew Schad, Adam Schulmerich, Leslie Ann Sheppard, Sandy Shinner, Joe Sikora, Shelley Strasser, Devonte E. Washington, Sarah Jo White, Joseph Wiens and Brad Woodard.
SGT's Artistic Associates includes Daniela Colucci, Elliot Esquivel, Mikey Gray, Lawrence Grimm, Ronald Hale, Darren Jones, Christopher Kriz, Jason Lynch, Lydia Moss, Tim Newell, Jane Nix, Aila Peck, Steve Peebles, Cage Sebastian Pierre, David Antonio Reed, Angie Shriner, Abbey Smith, Hershey Suri, Michael Trudeau and Ayanna Wimberley.
SGT is supported in part by generous grants from the Shulman-Rochambeau Charitable Foundation, Brenda and James Grusecki, The Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, Carol P. Eastin, The Shubert Foundation, Judith and David Sensibar, the Illinois Arts Council, The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation and Americans for the Arts.
Visit SGTheatre.org for subscriptions, tickets and information, and follow the company @shatteredglobe on Facebook and Instagram.
