When six strangers sign up for a sleep deprivation study, they find themselves trapped at the center of a battle between real world terrors and what appears to be a supernatural nightmare. And as an agonizing exhaustion creeps its way in, they find themselves questioning: what's actually happening and what's just in their heads? MARE is a rollercoaster ride of horror and human connection that you won’t want to sleep on.

Adia Alli (Amari; she/her) is a Nigerian-born, Michigan-raised artist and educator. Some Chicago credits include: School Girls; Or, the African Mean Girls Play (Goodman Theatre); The Niceties (Writers Theatre, u/s); United Flight 232 (The House Theatre of Chicago); Cardboard Piano (TimeLine Theatre); The Escape (Art Institute of Chicago); No Child... (Definition Theatre Company); Curves and Edges (Interrobang Theatre Project); and The Doppelganger (Steppenwolf Theatre, u/s). Adia plays Danielle in the web-series Seeds! She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre, a specialization in African American and African Studies, and a minor in Economics from Michigan State University. Represented by Gray Talent Group.

Elise Marie Davis* (Aurora; they/them) is a GNC actor and the Artistic Director of Broken Nose Theatre. They have had the pleasure of performing in several BNT productions, including Jeff-Award Winning Girl in the Red Corner (2019), Plainclothes (2018), and At The Table (2017). They have also been in BNT’s Labyrinth (2020), A Phase (2016), My First Time (2015), and numerous iterations of Bechdel Fest. As a playwright, their work performed at Steppenwolf 1700, First Floor Theater, BNT, and Arc Theatre, while their play, A Phase, has been taught at the University of Chicago. Elise is also a proud ensemble member of The Factory Theater, and is represented by Big Mouth Talent Agency. elisemariedavis.com

Layne Dixon (Nurse CJ; she/her) is a writer, performer and photographer living and working in Chicago. Originally from Atlanta (hey y’all), she moved here to pursue a career in comedy, build her photo portfolio and make new pals. A graduate of the Second City Conservatory, past member of Vienna Juvenile Sketch Comedy, and storyteller, Layne is super amped to be a part of Broken Nose Theatre’s reading of MARE. When she’s not writing/performing she’s doing impressions of her mom and trying to kiss her dog on the mouth.

Jose Nateras (Mateo; he/him) is an L.A. based Actor/Writer from Chicago. Some recent acting credits include: First Love is the Revolution (Steep Theatre), Fulfillment Center (A Red Orchid Theatre), Frankenstein (Remy Bumppo), among others. He's appeared on NBC's Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D., Fox's Proven Innocent, The Chi on Showtime, and elsewhere. Jose is a graduate of Loyola University Chicago, has his MFA in Writing from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), and is also a freelance journalist, a published novelist, and screenwriter/playwright. One of his feature length screenplays, Zero Feet Away, was recently a finalist in the NOLA Horror Film Festival’s screenwriting competition while another, Departing Seniors, is currently in production. His debut novel TESTAMENT is published by Ninestar Press.

Josh Odor (Logan; he/him) is a long time Chicago performer and is excited to get to work with the good folks with Broken Nose Theatre.

Mask up and keep your distance so we can do this live sooner rather than later.

Stay safe and stay healthy.

Paula Ramirez (Mia; she/her) is originally from Venezuela, and she’s spent the last two years touring the country as a Sexual Assault Prevention Educator with Catharsis Productions. Chicago credits include Another Word for Beauty (Goodman Theatre; ensemble + u/s), Fefu and her Friends (Goodman Theatre/Rivendell Theatre as part of the Latino Theatre Festival), Heat Wave (CBD/Steppenwolf Garage), Crossed, GL2010 and Gen Sex (Teatro Luna), Second Skin (Wildclaw), and Women at War at Rivendell Theatre, where she is currently an ensemble member. Paula is represented by Gray Talent Group.

Hilary Williams (Maddie; she/her) is a Chicago based actor, writer, and educator. A graduate of the School at Steppenwolf, she has worked with such companies as Steep, The Hypocrites, LifeLine, Rivendell Ensemble, The House, and Northlight. This is Hilary's first time working with Broken Nose, and she is super excited. Hilary is represented by the wonderful folx at Shirley Hamilton. Thanks and love to the incredible Michael Turrentine and his spooky brilliance, Anton and Fyodor for snuggling, and Peter for everything. More information about her can be found at www.hilwill.com.

Brenda Scott Wlazlo* (Staged Directions; she/her) holds a BA in Theater from Florida State University and is a company member at Broken Nose and Red Tape Theatre. She recently could be seen in Red Tape’s production of All Quiet on the Western Front, which won 7 Jeff Awards, including Best Ensemble. She's worked with Chicago Kids Company, Redtwist Theatre, Red Theater, Chicago Slam Works, Tympanic Theater, Promethean, and Broken Nose Theater. When not onstage, Brenda can be found in her voice studio narrating audiobooks and coaching. She has over 40 audiobooks published and can be heard on Audible, iTunes, and more. You can check out her work at www.BswVoice.com. She's thrilled to be a part of this production. 

Spenser Davis* (Director; he/him) is the Director of Programming for Broken Nose Theatre. He’s currently the Goodman Theatre’s Michael Maggio Directing Fellow and has been nominated for the Jeff Award for Best Director three times, winning once. Most recently, he directed his own play The Spin, commissioned by Interrobang Theatre Project, for the virtual medium. Other credits include At The Table (Jeff Award, Storefront Rebellion’s “Best of the Decade”), A Phase, Plainclothes (Jeff Award), Labyrinth (Jeff Nom), and From White Plains (Broken Nose Theatre); May the Road Rise Up and Adventures of Spirit Force Five (The Factory); Blue Stockings (Jeff Nom, Promethean Theatre); The Golden Girls: Lockdown! (Hell in a Handbag); Bachelorette (Level 11); as well as work at A Red Orchid, American Blues Theatre, Strawdog Theatre, First Floor Theater and Mary-Arrchie. As a playwright, he received the 2020 Elizabeth George Commission at South Coast Rep, the 2019 M. Elizabeth Osborn New Play Award from the American Theatre Critics’ Association, and was named a finalist for the Harold & Mimi Steinberg/ATCA New Play Award. He's represented by William Morris Endeavor. Love ya, E.

David Weiss* (Company Dramaturg; he/him) is thrilled to be helping this wonderful script come to life. A proud member of Broken Nose Theatre since 2013, he has also served as dramaturg for their previous productions of Labyrinth, Language Rooms, Plainclothes, The Opportunities of Extinction, Kingdom, At The Table, Human Terrain, A Phase, and Beautiful Broken; past Paper Trail processes; and all seven Bechdel Fest short play festivals. As always, he's immensely grateful for the love and support of his family and friends.