Strawdog Theatre Company to Stage 12 OPHELIAS in Chicago This Spring

The production features Tierra Matthews as Ophelia and runs April 17 - May 24, 2026.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Strawdog Theatre Company has announced the cast for the final production of its 38th season, 12 Ophelias, written by Caridad Svich and directed by Strawdog co-artistic director, Kamille Dawkins. The play with broken songs follows Shakespeare's Ophelia as she rises out of the water and finds herself in a neo-Elizabethan Appalachian setting where Gertrude runs a brothel and Hamlet is a Rude Boy.

Why it matters

Strawdog Theatre Company is a well-regarded Chicago theater company that has been producing innovative and thought-provoking plays for over three decades. This production of 12 Ophelias, which reimagines the classic Shakespearean character, is expected to be a highlight of the company's 38th season and will likely draw interest from the local theater community.

The details

The production features Tierra Matthews as Ophelia, Dryden Zurawski as Rude Boy, Molly Kempfer as Mina, Rafael Gray Lopez as H, Jillian Leff as R, Jared Sprowls as G, and Eileen Dixon as Gertrude. The production will run April 17 - May 24, 2026, with previews April 10 - 12. Shows are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2pm at The Factory Theater, 1623 W. Howard St. Chicago, IL 60626.

  • The production will run April 17 - May 24, 2026, with previews April 10 - 12.
  • Shows are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2pm.

The players

Strawdog Theatre Company

A well-regarded Chicago theater company that has been producing innovative and thought-provoking plays for over three decades.

Caridad Svich

The playwright who wrote 12 Ophelias, the play being produced by Strawdog Theatre Company.

Kamille Dawkins

The Strawdog co-artistic director who is directing the production of 12 Ophelias.

Tierra Matthews

The actress playing the role of Ophelia in the production.

The Factory Theater

The venue where the production of 12 Ophelias will be staged.

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What’s next

Tickets for the production will go live on February 23, 2026 at the Strawdog Theatre Company's website.

The takeaway

Strawdog Theatre Company's production of 12 Ophelias promises to be an innovative and thought-provoking reimagining of the classic Shakespearean character, drawing on the company's reputation for producing cutting-edge theater in Chicago.