Birds Of North America at A Red Orchid Theatre
Anna Ouyang Moench's intimate drama explores the evolving relationship between John and his daughter Caitlyn, two devoted birders who spend a decade scanning the skies over their suburban Maryland backyard in search of elusive species. As they track the flight patterns of birds, time passes around them in profound and subtle ways. Relationships form and dissolve, children mature into adults, parents grow older, and the natural world itself transforms through climate change and other forces beyond their control. Through this framework of shared birdwatching, the play examines how family members can spend years together while still struggling to fully comprehend one another.Artistic Director Kirsten Fitzgerald will direct the production, which features A Red Orchid Ensemble Member John Judd as John alongside Cassidy Slaughter-Mason as his daughter Caitlyn. Fitzgerald has led the theater as Artistic Director since 2008 and recently earned a Jeff Award for Best Director of a Play-Midsize for her work on "The Moors" at A Red Orchid. Judd brings four decades of Chicago theater experience to the role, with previous A Red Orchid credits including "Six Men Dressed Like Joseph Stalin," "The Cave," and "Simpatico" at McCarter Theatre. Slaughter-Mason won an Equity Jeff Award for Best Performer in a Principal Role for "The Luckiest" at Raven Theatre and has appeared in productions at Northlight Theatre, Goodman Theatre, and Theatre Wit.
Playwright Anna Ouyang Moench has received widespread recognition for her work in theater and television, including two 2023 WGA Awards for her contributions to the Apple TV+ series "Severance" and the 2020 Steinberg Playwright Award. Her plays have been produced at venues including La Jolla Playhouse, Williamstown Theatre Festival, and the Geffen Playhouse. She holds an MFA in Playwriting from UC San Diego and currently resides in Los Angeles.
The creative team includes Morgan Laszlo handling scenic design, Ben Argenta Kress designing costumes, Seojung Jang creating the lighting design, and Ethan Korvne serving as composer and sound designer. Jojo Brown will work as dramaturg, with Amy Carpenter as assistant director and Kyle Stoffers handling casting.
Tickets for preview performances are priced between $33 and $44, while regular run performances are $55. The theater offers access, student, senior, and group discounts. A Red Orchid Theatre has anchored the Old Town neighborhood since 1993 and received a MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions in 2016, earning acclaim for its fearless artistic vision and commitment to intimate storytelling.