Photo: Pride Films and Plays company member Kenzie Seibert

Pride Films and Plays’s has announced the cast and creative team for its world premiere FOR THE LOVE OF (OR, THE ROLLER DERBY PLAY) by Gina Femia, which will begin previews March 16 under the direction of Rachel Edwards Harvith.

Artistic Director Nelson Rodriguez says, “In an era when women’s rights and autonomy are threatened, I am thrilled for PFP to present FOR THE LOVE OF. Femia’s superb writing, diverse all-female cast of characters, and representation of contemporary queer women is anchored by Joy’s journey of realizing she has the authority, confidence, and passion to find fulfillment in herself. This play is one hell of ride in which we see that love and roller derby are both contact sports.”

Director Rachel Edwards Harvith is the former Associate Artistic Director at Chicago Dramatists and a freelance director, whose credits include Beautiful Autistic and The Mecca Tales (Chicago Dramatists) and Assassins (Kokandy Productions). The cast features Alex Dauphin, Erica Hernandez, Lauren Goode, Amanda Raquel Martinez, Tricia Rogers, Emily Marso, Savannah Cannistraro, Robbin Major, and PFP Company Member Kenzie Seibert.

Top row L-R: Alex Dauphin, Kenzie Seibert, Erica Hernandez
Middle row L-R: Lauren Goode, Savannah Cannistraro, Tricia Rogers
Bottom row: L-R: Emily Marso, Amanda Raquel Martinez, Robbin Major

FOR THE LOVE OF’s design team includes Elyse Balogh (Set), G. Max Maxin IV (Lights), Uriel Gomez (Costumes), Melanie Vitaterna (Props) and Heath Hays (sound). Denise Serna will serve as assistant director and PFP Company Member Christopher Young will assist with choreography and movement. Jenn M. Thompson will stage manage and Iris Sowlat is the production manager.