Are there puppets?
Yes! Shadow puppets!

How long is the performance?
45 minutes

What ages is this performance for?
Heart String’s design, text, original music, and vibrant storytelling will appeal to all ages, but the show has been specifically focused on reaching ages 7+. All ages are always welcome at Filament.

When should we arrive?
Filament encourages you to arrive 20-30 minutes before show time to participate in pre-show activities.

Where will we sit?
The audience is invited to sit on chairs or floor cushions. To request accommodations for your party, please email boxoffice@filamenttheatre.org

Will we move during the performance?
There will be some light moments of interaction between the performer and the audience, but you will remain seated throughout the performance.

What is your health and safety plan?
Please refer to the health and safety tab of our website, linked here.

Are group sales and/or birthday party packages available?
Yes, please contact boxoffice@filamenttheatre.org to purchase tickets for a group of 10 or more. All performances are public and private parties are not available for this production, but your group may book our party room following the performance.

Now booking Monday – Thursday, from April 1 – April 25, 2025

Running time: 45 mins

Designed specifically for ages 7+. 

Theatre seats ~60 when some students sit on cushions.

Flexible pricing by classroom or per student. Sliding scale based on free/reduced lunch.

Schedule a complimentary pre-field trip meeting (20 min) to prepare for your field trip and to learn more about Filament’s unique child-centered practices. 

• • Field Trip Request Form

press & media inquiries please contact jstemper@filamenttheatre.org

CREATIVES

Lee Cataluna’s (Playwright) work includes commissions from Arena Stage, La Jolla Playhouse, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Dramatic Publishing, Honolulu Theatre for Youth, and San Francisco Playhouse. Her plays have been developed at Ojai Playwrights Conference, Chautauqua Institute, Purple Crayon Players at Northwestern University, Atlantic Theater, and Native Voices at the Autry. She was a finalist for the Eugene O’Neill award. Her play Home of the Brave is performed by school children around the country. She has an MFA in Creative Writing from UC Riverside. She is of Native Hawaiian descent and lives in Honolulu.

Joel Willison (Director) Having lived overseas from 7-18 in Kampala, Uganda, Joel is focused on accessibility to stories and the stage. His work at PTVR focuses on the intersection between the internet and live theatre. Joel is centered on telling stories that confront tradition and focus on the tension between the expectation and reality of being human.

Joel is the Artistic Director for Pocket Theatre V.R., Co-founding Artistic Producer of Freshly Brewed, Founder of inc., a company member of Playground Chicago and Theatre L’acadie, and was selected for Directors Haven 6 in 2023. Recent credits include Assistant Directing for Mikael Burke for Tambo and Bones, The Runaways Lab Theater, Playground – Chicago, Haven, Ghostlight Theatre Ensemble, Stage Left Theatre, Eclectic Full Contact Theatre, Chicago Dramatists, and Virtual Theatre Collaboration. joelwillison.com

Hannah Ii-Epstein (she/her/hers)(Cultural Consultant and Dramaturgy Support) is a Native Hawaiian creative writer and award winning dramatist who was born and raised on the North Shore of ʻOahu and received her MFA at Northwestern University. She is the Artistic Director of Nothing Without a Company and a founding member of BearCat Productions, a resident playwright at Chicago Dramatists, a 50th season writer at Kumu Kahua Theatre, a board member at Aloha Center Chicago, a member of the Ke AliʻI Victoria Kaʻiulani Hawaiian Civic Club, Ke Kula Kupaa O Ka Pakipika hālau, and Tree Moss Hawaiʻi: a professional collective for Hawaiʻi playwrights. Hannah works as a freelance dramaturge and cultural specialist to support Native Hawaiian and Hawaiʻi works. Hannah is a 2021 recipient of 3Arts Make a Wave grant and About Face Theatre’s Playwright Artist Grant. In 2023, Hannah worked as a Co-Curator on “Chicago’s Legacy Hula” exhibit at The Field Museum (closing in spring 2026) and participated as a panelist and playwright at the first ever APIDA Arts Festival in Chicago, IL.

Danny Gadaj (he/him)(Stage Manager) The son of Polish immigrants and the owner of 3 trumpets, Danny left New Jersey to earn a BFA in acting from DePaul’s Theatre School. Besides being a frequent Filament collaborator, Danny also makes absurdist art with his theatre company LegLand (Vivid Award for Visual Theatre recipients at Borderlight 2024!) Visit @live.laugh.legs on Instagram to find out how your legs can also taste the sweet absurdity of LegLand

Jazmin (hahz-meen) Aurora Medina (Costume Designer) is a xicana interdisciplinary artist based in the midwest, but is a frequent adventurer with her design work! With a focus in costume design, Jazmin believes in the magical power of empathetic, transformative storytelling through her practice. She is thrilled to be returning to Filament Theatre after previously costume designing Think Fast, Jordan Chase! Current design credits include, Go Dog Go!/Ve Perro Ve! At Chicago Children’s Theatre and Esperanza Rising at First Stage Children’s Theater–with more to come! Jazmin has also previously received the honor of being selected as one of thirty-four US ‘young emerging costume designers’ for the 2019 Prague Quadrennial for Eurydice (UW-Waukesha).  Jazmin wouldn’t be here without the constant support of her family, friends and community, and would like to continually honor them through her work. Check jazminaurora.com or @jazminnauroraa for more! Bendiciones!

Kyle Anthony Cortés, M.M. (He/Him)(Sound Designer), is an Afro-Latino composer, singer-actor, music director, and sound designer based in Chicago. He is excited for Heart Strings and Hannah and Halmoni Save the World to be his first collaboration with all the wonderful people at Filament Theatre. Passionate about educating in historically underserved communities, he is a teaching artist in the Greater Chicago Area. An emerging artist on the Chicago scene, his credits include working with companies such as the Goodman Theatre, The Second City theatre, Definition Theatre, Forevermore Dance and Theater Arts, Citadel Theatre, ChiArts Educational Theatre, Chicago Summer Opera Theater, and Wagner Summer Musical Theater Intensive, in various roles.

He is a resident teaching artist for the music conservatory at The Chicago High School for the Arts (ChiArts) (Humboldt Park), and has partnered with Chicago Music and Acting Academy (Jefferson Park) and Forevermore Dance and Theater (Elmwood Park), giving private studio lessons in various vocal and instrumental areas.

Seojung Jang (Lighting Designer) is a lighting designer who seamlessly blends artistry and technical precision across theater, opera, and dance. Originally from South Korea, she earned her MFA in Lighting Design from Northwestern University in 2024, where she worked on productions such as The Tempest, The Aliens, Working: A Musical, The Revolutionists, Foreshadows of the Flesh, Me Jane, and MuLan. Her recent works include 13 Suits and The Love Object. In 2025, Seojung was honored with the USITT YDMT The Barbizon Lighting Company Jonathan Resnick Lighting Design Award.

Mara Ishihara Zinky (Scenic Designer) is thrilled to be back at Filament, after painting clouds for (who else?) Cloud Man last year. Recent Chicago credits include Arcadia (University of Chicago), The Porch on Windy Hill (Northlight Theatre), Native Gardens (Buffalo Theater Ensemble), and Nightwatch (Raven Theatre). In addition to scenic design, Mara is a props artisan and her work has been seen onstage at Chicago Shakespeare, The Goodman, and Steppenwolf.

Michele Stine (Puppetry Consultant and Designer) is an actor, clown, and puppeteer.  They spend their time digging through trash and alleys for materials, much to her mother’s dismay. Michele has performed with Lyric Opera of Chicago, Rough House Theatre, Filament Theatre, Chicago Puppet Studio, Lifeline Theatre, Emerald City Theatre, Theatre SUMM, and some other companies too. They are a part of the 2024/2025 Puppet Lab Cohort through the International Puppet Theatre Festival. They like cheese-its and ice cream and talking about theatre audience experiences.  Michele thinks that “bios” are strange because it’s short for biography but we were given a word count of 150 words or less. Seems like not enough, but here we are.  Are we at 150 words, yet? Oh, and Michele has spent over fifteen years working as a theatre educator in Chicago, Illinois; working with young people to develop strong storytelling skills and creating dreams out of cardboard and glue. Exciting!  Word count: 154.

Krissi McEachern (she/her)(Props Designer/Filament Managing Director) is Chicago-based arts administrator, nonprofit leader, and maker of silly things. Krissi holds an MFA in Arts Leadership from DePaul University and 10+ years’ experience in the nonprofit performing arts and has been Filament Theatre’s Managing Director since 2020. She was drawn to this work because of a belief that artists and audiences deserve organizations that center the same humanity, vulnerability, curiosity, and innovation in their administrative practices as they do on their stages. Krissi’s passion for TYA is driven by a belief that creativity and play are a fundamental human right.

Caroline M. Watson (she/her)(Audience Engagement Designer/Filament Associate Director of Engagement) is a Chicago-based theatre artist and educator. She was born and raised in Texas and is a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation. Caroline serves as Filament Theatre’s Associate Director of Engagement, as well as being a performer and teaching artist. Caroline has devised new work and toured nationally performing at such venues as The Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, and The Arden as a company member with Theater Unspeakable. ​When she isn’t acting or teaching, Caroline is the producer and host of Grandma’s House, an award-winning monthly poetry show and open mic. Above all, Caroline has a passion for creating spaces for artists, young and old, to find their voices and thrive.

CAST

Paige Kim-Mesina (US) is a Chicago-based theatre director and performer originally from St. Louis, MO. She has worked with Pocket Theatre VR, Free Street Theater, Three Brothers Theatre, Pop Up! Productions, PlayGround-Chicago, Redtwist Theatre, Remy Bumppo Theatre Company, Subtext Studio TC, First Floor Theater, and CIRCA-Pintig Theatre on their inaugural Chicago Filipino American Theatre Festival in 2024. Paige holds her BFA in Theatre Arts from The Theatre School at DePaul University.

Ginger Leopoldo (Tutu) is an actor currently bringing the character of Tutu to life in Heart Strings! In addition to her acting, she is also a dynamic educator, director, and community organizer. As the founding Artistic Director of the Center for Immigrant Resources and Community Arts (CIRCA) and Executive Director of CIRCA Pintig, Ginger is passionate about inspiring creativity and cultural understanding through the magic of theater.

With over 20 years of experience, Ginger creates exciting theater productions and fun workshops for kids and adults alike. She designs special programs that help young people explore their stories through art, mixing learning with creativity. Ginger also teaches English around the world and helps teachers make their classrooms more engaging.

Currently pursuing a doctoral degree, she’s diving deep into the world of theater and education. Ginger holds both a B.A. and M.A. in theater from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and she’s recently helped launch a program called WAANT, which encourages wellness through Asian American stories.

As a proud 1.75-generation Filipino American, Ginger embraces her cultural heritage and shares it with her family. She lives in Chicago with her husband and three adventurous children, who inspire her every day. Join Ginger on this exciting journey in Heart Strings, where she spreads joy, creativity, and the power of storytelling to everyone around her!

Logan UhiwaiO’Alohamailani Rasmussen (she/her)(Hoku) is a native Hawaiian theatre artist and environmental educator based in Chicago. You can call her Aloha! Recent local credits include A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Babes With Blades Theatre Co.), Cymbeline (Midsommer Flight), and Kasha of Kaimuki (Nothing Without a Company). Regionally, she has worked with Great River Shakespeare Festival and Hawaii Shakespeare Festival. She holds a BFA in Acting from Northern Illinois University, and is represented by Shirley Hamilton Talent, Inc. Aloha is a Public Engagement Facilitator at Shedd Aquarium where she gets to share her passion for environmental conservation through informal education. She is so excited to share this special story of love and family with audiences here at Filament, and wants to dedicate her performance to her dad, Scottie. You showed me the true meaning of hanai and aloha. I love you with all my heart!

IG: aloha.rasmussen

RJ Silva (he/him)(Josiah) Chicago: Baked! (Theo Ubique), Daryo’s All-American Diner (CIRCA Pintig, Chicago Reader 2023 Best New Play) Playwright: Hail Mary/Maria. YouTube/Podcast: Boys Love Boys Love, Did You Read the Group Chat, Showgays: A Movie Musical Podcast. Artistic Director of Filipino theatre arts organization CIRCA Pintig. Thank you Filament for sharing AANHPI stories for new generations to enjoy! Love and aloha to Adam and Friedrich. IG @rj.slay 

Dwight Sora (Grandpa) would like to thank Filament for this opportunity to return (theatrically) to his family’s home island, as a 4th generation Japanese American by way of the town of Eleele on Kauai. Recent productions include the premiere of The Rice Eaters (KaniniFest by Moja Productions) and understudying the world premiere of Zac Efron (Token Theatre). Previously, he appeared in At the Vanishing Point (The Gift Theatre), Hummingbird (VR production; Goodman New States and UIC Electronic Visualization Laboratory), The Three Musketeers (Lifeline Theatre), and 12 Angry Men (Raven Theatre). Dwight is also a 4th degree black belt in the Japanese martial art of aikido (at Chicago Aikikai dojo), and has put his skills to use as fight choreographer/advisor for Pacific Overtures (Porchlight Music Theatre), Company (Mercury Theater Chicago), and Peter Pan (Theatre-Hikes), and was an onstage combatant in Romeo et Juliet (Lyric Opera Chicago). Thanks to his wife Czerina and son Jack.

Emily Zhang (Mahina) is a Chicago based actor and is excited to be working with Filament! It means a lot to her to work on plays that highlight AAPI stories. Some favorite Chicago credits include Flush at Campfire Repertory, Blood of My Mother’s and RACECAR RACECAR RACECAR at Bramble Theatre Company, Woo Girls at The Factory Theater, and Among the Dead at Jackalope Theatre. She is also a proud member of Asian Takeout Improv, with shows the second Sunday of every month at Kamehachi! She is a Northwestern graduate and is represented by Gray Talent Group.

Review our SAFETY PLAN before your visit.

Not sure what your family’s schedule looks like yet? You can still give the gift of Filament fun by purchasing a Filament Gift Card. Gift Cards are good for Filament’s Spring shows or other upcoming Filament Fun.

Gift Cards

Bringing a group to Heart Strings?
We offer a group ticket discount. $10 tickets for groups of 10 or more.

Celebrating a special occasion? Our Party Room is available for small celebrations following afternoon performances for up to 45 minutes. ($50 per 15 minutes)

Please email BoxOffice@filamenttheatre.org to purchase tickets and reserve the party room.

Payment for group sales and buy-outs will be due at the time of booking. Payment for party room rentals must be made on site on the day of your event. We ask the party’s hosts to leave the room tidy and clean. Failure to clean up after your party or exit by the agreed-upon end time will result in additional charges.