Pictured: Sandra Marquez, who will direct the world premiere of “La Ruta,” and perform in “A Doll’s House, Part 2” as Nora.

Steppenwolf has announced casting and directors for the first four shows of its 2018/19 season: “Downstate” a world by Pulitzer Prize-winning ensemble member Bruce Norris; “Familiar” by Danai Gurira; “La Ruta” by Isaac Gomez; and “A Doll’s House, Part 2” by Lucas Hnath. Directors Danya Taymor (“Familiar”) and Robin Witt (“A Doll’s House, Part 2”) join previously announced Pam MacKinnon (“Downstate”) and Sandra Marquez (“La Ruta”).

The cast for season opener “Downstate,” which revolves around four sex offenders in a southern Illinois group home, will feature ensemble members Glenn Davis as Gio, K. Todd Freeman as Dee, Tim Hopper as Andy and Francis Guinan as Fred; along with Cecilia Noble (Ivy), Eddie Torres (Felix), Aimee Lou Wood (Effie) and Matilda Ziegler (Em). Elyakeem Avraham, Maura Kidwell, Nate Wheldon round out the ensemble. The world premiere is a co-commission and co-production with the National Theatre of Great Britain, where it will transfer in spring 2019. The productions share the American and British actors and creative team.

“Familiar” by Danai Gurira will feature previously announced ensemble members Celeste M. Cooper as Nyasha and Ora Jones as Marvelous Chinyaramwira, alongside Cheryl Lynn Bruce (Anne), Erik Hellman (Chris), Lanise Antoine Shelley (Tendikayi), Luigi Sottile (Brad), Jacqueline Williams (Margaret Munyewa) and Cedric Young (Donald Chinyaramwira). It’s winter in Minnesota, and a Zimbabwean-American family is preparing for the wedding of their eldest daughter when the bride surprises the family by insisting on a traditional African ceremony.

Isaac Gomez’ world premiere “La Ruta” centers on a bus to the U.S.-owned factories in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. The production will feature Charin Alvarez (Marisela), Cher Alvarez (Brenda), Laura Crotte (Musician), Sandra Delgado (Yoli), Mari Maroquin (Zaide) and Karen Rodriguez (Ivonne). Alice da Cunha and Isabella Gerasole play the Women of Juarez.

“A Doll’s House, Part 2,” Lucas Hnath’s comedic sequel to Ibsen’s masterpiece, will be performed by ensemble members Celeste M. Cooper as Emmy, Sandra Marquez as Nora and Yasen Peyankov as Torvald. Barbara Robertson will play Anne Marie.

For more information, visit steppenwolf.org.