Picnic Basket Theatre Picnic Basket Theatre

Aqua Tofana follows Girolama Spera and her associates as the leadership of renaissance-era Italy squabble over the world's most prolific serial poisoning ring. As the sins and salvations of generations of women pile high around them, Girolama is forced to reconcile with her role in their downfall. One that seems more and more ultimate with each breath.

This production contains sounds of torture and references to murder, violence against female bodies, domestic violence, prostitution, and suicide.

Resources for anyone struggling with unhealthy relationships:


National Domestic Violence Hotline (800-799-7233 or text START to 88788)
Minnesota Day One Crisis Hotline (1-866-223-1111)
Casa de Esperanza (651-772-1611, www.casadeesperanza.org),
Women of Nations (651-222-5836, www.women-of-nations.org).

Featuring Alyssa Teh as Girolama Spera, Laila Sahir as Giulia Thofania, Isabel Estelle as Maria Spinola , Diego Symouksavanh as the Viceroy, Cole Seager as the Magistrate, Kjer Whitting as the Cardinal, Sam Purches as Father Girolamo and The Guard, Kierney Gray as Rosa the Servant and Marchesa Romanini, Corie Casper as Francesca Crispolti, and Emily Hensley as Giovanna Di Grandis.

This production was written by Emma Kessler, directed by Alex Church, stage managed by Julianne Escanan, and sound designed by Rachel Brees. Art by Jensine Beyer.

Website: Picnicbaskettheatre.com

Instagram: @picnicbaskettheatre

Venmo: picnic_basket (slide over to business section)

Aqua Tofana follows Girolama Spera and her associates as the leadership of renaissance-era Italy squabble over the world's most prolific serial poisoning ring. As the sins and salvations of generations of women pile high around them, Girolama is forced to reconcile with her role in their downfall. One that seems more and more ultimate with each breath.

This production contains sounds of torture and references to murder, violence against female bodies, domestic violence, prostitution, and suicide.

Resources for anyone struggling with unhealthy relationships:


National Domestic Violence Hotline (800-799-7233 or text START to 88788)
Minnesota Day One Crisis Hotline (1-866-223-1111)
Casa de Esperanza (651-772-1611, www.casadeesperanza.org),
Women of Nations (651-222-5836, www.women-of-nations.org).

Featuring Alyssa Teh as Girolama Spera, Laila Sahir as Giulia Thofania, Isabel Estelle as Maria Spinola , Diego Symouksavanh as the Viceroy, Cole Seager as the Magistrate, Kjer Whitting as the Cardinal, Sam Purches as Father Girolamo and The Guard, Kierney Gray as Rosa the Servant and Marchesa Romanini, Corie Casper as Francesca Crispolti, and Emily Hensley as Giovanna Di Grandis.

This production was written by Emma Kessler, directed by Alex Church, stage managed by Julianne Escanan, and sound designed by Rachel Brees. Art by Jensine Beyer.

Website: Picnicbaskettheatre.com

Instagram: @picnicbaskettheatre

Venmo: picnic_basket (slide over to business section)

Truth, Power, Accusation.

Truth is nothing more than a collective acknowledgement - easily hidden, manipulated, and faltered. It is Power that dictates whose truth is actually acknowledged. When the tears of young girls fall and the screams of disgraced matriarchs pierce through cages in lament, whose truth will be recognized? As accusations of witchcraft create a chokehold on a community - the heart and mind of a servant woman, Tituba, begin to clash as she arrives at her one chance of survival. Listen as Truth and Power weave and unravel in “TITUBA” by Emma Kessler.

Featuring Antonia Perez as Tituba, Grace Becker as Sarah Good, Clara Marsh as Sarah Osborne and Betty Paris, Tessa Dahlgren as Magistrate John Hathorne, Kyra Rahn as Elizabeth Paris and Abigail Williams, Maje Adams as John Indian and the Jailer, Sam Purches as Reverend Parris and William Good, and Raymond Niu as The Narrator. 

This production is directed by John Patterson, production managed by Julianne Escanan, and sound designed by Rachel Anne Brees. Cover art by Jack Magnus.

Website: picnicbaskettheatre.com

Instagram: @picnicbaskettheatre

GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/picnic-basket-theatre?qid=112802e484bb5dce02621b411730e96a

Venmo: picnic_basket (slide over to businesses)

Truth, Power, Accusation.

Truth is nothing more than a collective acknowledgement - easily hidden, manipulated, and faltered. It is Power that dictates whose truth is actually acknowledged. When the tears of young girls fall and the screams of disgraced matriarchs pierce through cages in lament, whose truth will be recognized? As accusations of witchcraft create a chokehold on a community - the heart and mind of a servant woman, Tituba, begin to clash as she arrives at her one chance of survival. Listen as Truth and Power weave and unravel in “TITUBA” by Emma Kessler.

Featuring Antonia Perez as Tituba, Grace Becker as Sarah Good, Clara Marsh as Sarah Osborne and Betty Paris, Tessa Dahlgren as Magistrate John Hathorne, Kyra Rahn as Elizabeth Paris and Abigail Williams, Maje Adams as John Indian and the Jailer, Sam Purches as Reverend Parris and William Good, and Raymond Niu as The Narrator. 

This production is directed by John Patterson, production managed by Julianne Escanan, and sound designed by Rachel Anne Brees. Cover art by Jack Magnus.

Website: picnicbaskettheatre.com

Instagram: @picnicbaskettheatre

GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/picnic-basket-theatre?qid=112802e484bb5dce02621b411730e96a

Venmo: picnic_basket (slide over to businesses)

Storytellers determine the values by which we live, and consequently, those values determine what stories get told, again and again. They are a grounding constant for a society in turmoil, and over time, adapt to new circumstances like everything else. But what happens when change is treated not as an opportunity for growth, but as a threat? Enter Bridget Cleary, a young woman struggling to carve her own path in a world that wants her to remain docile. The men in her life are threatened by her conviction and her aunt, Mary Kennedy, can only warn her the cost of retaining her identity. Family and folklore go head to head in Emma Kessler’s ‘The Changeling. 

Featuring Emily Hensley as Bridget Cleary, Cole Seager as Michael Cleary, Tia Tanzer as Mary Kennedy, Ryan Ledman as Patrick Kennedy, Gus Mahoney as Father Ryan and Inspector, Alex Church as Jack Dunne, and Jack Bechard as Willie, Doc, and Constable. 

This production is directed by Mel Fellows, production managed by Julianne Escanan, sound designed by Rachel Anne Brees with additional music by Raymond Niu, and dialect coached by Katie McLane. Cover art by Jack Magnus.

Website: picnicbaskettheatre.com

Instagram: @picnicbaskettheatre

GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/picnic-basket-theatre?qid=112802e484bb5dce02621b411730e96a

Venmo: picnic_basket (slide over to businesses)

Picnic Basket Theatre is a Minneapolis based radio plays theatre company that provides artists with a unique medium to express their voices and experiences.

Storytellers determine the values by which we live, and consequently, those values determine what stories get told, again and again. They are a grounding constant for a society in turmoil, and over time, adapt to new circumstances like everything else. But what happens when change is treated not as an opportunity for growth, but as a threat? Enter Bridget Cleary, a young woman struggling to carve her own path in a world that wants her to remain docile. The men in her life are threatened by her conviction and her aunt, Mary Kennedy, can only warn her the cost of retaining her identity. Family and folklore go head to head in Emma Kessler’s ‘The Changeling. Directed by Mel Fellows. 

Website: picnicbaskettheatre.com

Instagram: @picnicbaskettheatre

GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/picnic-basket-theatre?qid=112802e484bb5dce02621b411730e96a

Venmo: picnic_basket (slide over to businesses)



Cover art by Jack Magnus