Quantum Theatre: Katie Brook Steers Immersive Debut
The new artistic director's first production at Rockwell Park blends a hostage negotiation with a domestic mystery.
By Yasmin Nasser ·
Katie Brook took the helm of Quantum Theatre in September, succeeding founder Karla Boos. Her first major project under that title is the world premiere of Liza Birkenmeier’s script, radio island, currently running through Nov. 15 at Rockwell Park in North Point Breeze.
The production opened with Brook already attached to the project before her appointment. She previously directed the company’s 2022 revival of The Cherry Orchard. Boos is scheduled to step down in January, marking the end of her tenure after three decades of leadership.
The narrative frames the story through the voice of a 911 dispatcher, played by Treasure Treasure, who reports an incident at a rural Missouri home. The timeline then shifts back several weeks to that same house, where Ellen, played by Siovhan Christensen, is caring for her adoptive mother, Paula, portrayed by Helena Ruoti. Paula is recovering from a severe accidental fall.
Ellen works as a hostage negotiator. During her shift, she handles a complex call regarding a massive oil tanker seized by pirates. She interacts via phone with an oil executive, voiced by Brett Kennedy, and a negotiation contact, voiced by Wali Jamal. These calls reveal Ellen’s professional precision against the backdrop of her strained family dynamic.
The set design by Chelsea M. Warren creates a partial, opaque house on stage. C. Todd Brown’s lighting design alternates between deep shadows and blinding spots to obscure the characters. This visual approach mirrors the emotional distance between the mother and daughter. The runtime is one hour and 40 minutes.
As the days progress in the script, a sheriff, also played by Jamal, investigates Paula’s accident and reports of gunshots from neighbors. A mysterious car is spotted near the property. Tension escalates when reports surface of a man resembling Ellen’s adoptive father skulking nearby. The house set physically rotates on stage during a climactic argument between Ellen and her girlfriend, Rory, played by Melinda Nanovsky.
The production concludes with a return to the 911 dispatcher’s perspective. Audiences exit by walking through the house set that was previously closed off, a final immersive element designed to force a confrontation with the on-stage tension. Tickets are available at quantumtheatre.com.
