THE SECRET YES
Created by: Nick Hart, Bo Frazier, Jamal Howard, Katie Norregaard, and Julie Ritchey
in partnership with Filament’s Youth Collaborator team
A FREE outdoor, exploratory play located in Portage Park
In a world full of Nos, Can’ts, and Impossibles, a very special group of citizens believe that things can be different than they are. They each have with them a secret: their own Yes.
The citizens of this Land of No must carry their Secret Yes safely through lands where they encounter helpers and obstacles, and ultimately reach a community space of possibility where their Yes can bloom.
Located outside in Portage Park, small groups of families are invited to journey the Land of No, exploring advocacy, resilience, community and changemaking.
Dates: August 28- September 26, 2021
Times: Saturday @ 11am & 2:00pm; Sunday @ 2:00pm
Price: FREE (advanced registration required, capacity is limited)
Ages: Although The Secret Yes is best enjoyed by ages 5+, all ages are welcome at Filament Theatre! Click here for more information.
Contact: Boxoffice@Filamenttheatre.org; (773) 270-1660
Address: Portage Park, 4100 N. Long Ave. Chicago, IL 60641
Additional Info
Run time and information: About 90 minutes.
Small groups will follow a Yes Agent into the Land of No. The experience will last approximately 60 minutes. Audiences are encouraged to come 15 minutes early to participate in activities!
COVID-19 Safety: Masks are required for all audience members 2 years and older, regardless of vaccination status. Performers will not be masked and we ask that audiences keep a respectful distance from performers. The entire experience will take place outdoors.
If you or a member of your household is experiencing symptoms related to COVID-19 or has received a positive COVID-19 test, please stay home and contact us at boxoffice@filamenttheatre.org and we will happily exchange your tickets for a later date.
More questions about your visit to Filament? Checkout our Plan Your Visit page or reach out to us: boxoffice@filamenttheatre.org; 773.270.1660
The Team
The Creative Team
Lead Artists: Nick Hart, Bo Frazier, Katie Norregaard, Jamal Howard, and Julie Ritchey
Director: Julie Ritchey
Associate Producer: Reji Simon
Production Teaching Artist: Molly Bunder
Stage Manager: Monica M. Brown
Production Manager: Noël Huntzinger
Costume Stylist: Auden Granger
Scenic Stylist: Mariah Bennett
Contributing Playwrights: Dionne Addai, Jessica Wright Buha, Anthony Whitaker
The Performers
Abby Thompson
Bo Frazier
Dionne Addai
Deanalís Resto
Daniel Gadaj
Michele Stine
Nick Hart
Samantha Nieves
Sofia Tew
Sonia Goldberg
Understudy Performers
Jonathan Lee-Ray
Elizabeth Nungaray
Youth Collaboration
About the process:
The Secret Yes was created in partnership with a team of Youth Collaborators, ages 6-13, who’ve been integral to the production from the very beginning. Young people were invited in for free workshops with professional artists where they shared their thoughts on advocacy, resilience, community, and changemaking through games and activities. Their ideas built the Land of No and everyone inside of it.
Thank you to The Secret Yes Youth Collaborators!
Aaliyah, 7
Aidan, 8
Alejandro, 9
Alex, 10
Alice, 11
Amaya, 8
Ansel, 8
Arlo, 8
Brenna, 6
Celia, 7
Claire, 8
Clare, 9
Cole, 7
Daemon, 8
Dominick, 11
E., 8
Freya, 11
Lena 7
Lily, 9
Luca, 7
Lucca, 11
Marin, 9
Nate, 11
Nevin, 9
Santi, 11
Veda, 10
Zuri, 13
Media
Pictures from workshops and rehearsals:
School Groups
School field trips are not available for this production. However, school groups are welcome to purchase group tickets to public weekend performances. Please email education@filamenttheatre.org for more information or to learn about future field trip opportunities.
Help make The Secret Yes free for all families!
The Secret Yes is a play about resilience, advocacy, and change-making in our communities. Our first public performance since March of 2020, it is our dream to welcome all families to The Secret Yes for free! If you are in a position to support, please consider donating.
Sponsored Performances:
Filament Theatre Board of Directors: September 4-5
Portage Grounds and Perkolator: September 11-12
Philip Schwartz and the Portage Park Neighborhood Association: September 18-19
The Six Corners Association: September 25-26
Organizations interested in sponsoring this production, please email krissi@filamenttheatre.org
The Secret Yes is made possible by Filament’s generous funders including The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, The City of Chicago- Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events, The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, The National Endowment for the Arts, The Illinois Arts Council Agency, The MacArthur Foundation, and more!.