Know Theatre and CCM co-produce "The Light Chasers" world premiere

UC College-Conservatory of Music and Know Theatre of Cincinnati co-produce an epic, world premiere theatrical adventure based on the album "Light Chasers" by indie orchestral-rock band Cloud Cult. Featuring CCM student actors and Know Theatre professionals, The Light Chasers runs April 5-28, 2024 at Know Theatre; tickets on sale now. 

The Light Chasers is the final MainStage production of the Know’s 26th season, as well as the final show of CCM alum Andrew Hungerford’s (MFA Lighting Design and Technology, ’05) decade-long tenure as Producing Artistic Director of the theatre. This emotional, life-affirming journey to the stars – and to all the life on the far side of loss – was developed by Hungerford alongside Chicago theatre-maker Jess Hutchinson, and is produced in partnership with CCM's BFA Acting program. 

Teenage science whiz Nic is stuck on Earth with her practical mom while her beloved dreamer of a father is ten years into an improbable mission to the stars. Nic vows to defy what she’s always been told is possible to bridge light years, get a message to her dad, and reunite her family.

CCM student actors make their Know Mainstage debuts in the production: Gabi Adams stars as Nic, with co-stars Staylie Brunner, Nico Graves, Evan Kupersmith, Carson Mehlbauer, Cassandra Reeves and Lilia Villaflor.

James Creque plays Nic’s space-explorer father. Creque's previous Know appearances include Hearts Like Fists (2015), Hundred Days (2015), The Fisherman’s Wife (2016), Mercury (2019), All’s Faire (2021), The Twunny Fo’ (2022) and Bankers (2023).

Montez O. Jenkins-Copeland appears as Mshauri, the teacher guiding Nic and her peers. Jenkins-Copeland was also seen at the Know in Moby Dick (2014), Girlfriend (2016), Red Bike (2019) and Theatre: A Love Story (2021).

Rounding out the cast in her Know Theatre onstage debut is CCM Instructor Sarah Summerwell as Chris, Nic’s down-to-earth mom who’s trying to keep the family together. Sarah has previously served as vocal and dialect coach on shows including Dickless (2023).

The Light Chasers features movement choreography by CCM Instructor L. Lucía Duque, whose previous work with the Know includes Ensemble and Movement Director for All-One! The Dr. Bronner’s Play (2023).

The Light Chasers is based on the album "Light Chasers" by Minnesota orchestral-indie-folk-rock band Cloud Cult, fronted by Craig Minowa. Cloud Cult eschews recording with conventional labels, instead independently releasing music via their environmentally-conscious record label Earthology Records. Hailed as one of the Top 10 Green Bands by Rolling Stone, the band’s philosophical lyrics and unique sound has been praised by critics as "insane genius" (Pitchfork) and "an invocation of the lifeforce" (New York Times).

Jess Hutchinson joins Andrew Hungerford to co-direct The Light Chasers. Hutchinson is a Chicago-based director, dramaturg, educator, and producer whose work has been seen across the country. She was the artistic director of Chicago's New Leaf Theatre from 2007 to 2012 and co-founded groundswell, a new play development company, in 2015; she’s also taught at DePaul University, Northern Illinois University and North Park University.

“This show is a dream project for me, one ten years in the making," Hungerford says. "It encompasses nearly everything I love about theatre: connection and music and movement and broad and deep collaboration. I’m so grateful to Craig Minowa of Cloud Cult for letting us run with his epic music, to my collaborator Jess Hutchinson, and the whole cast and production team for coming together to make an adventure to remember. We can’t wait to share it with you.”

The Light Chasers runs April 5-28, 2024 at Know Theatre, 1120 Jackson Street in Over-the-Rhine. Tickets are available on the Know Theatre website or by calling the box office at 513-300-5669.

• Production: The Light Chasers, by Andrew Hungerford. Music & lyrics by Craig Minowa
• Dates: April 5-28, 2024. Wednesday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Saturday April 6 & 27, Sundays at 3 p.m.
• Where: Know Theatre, 1120 Jackson Street in Over-the-Rhine; Livestreaming on select dates beginning April 10.
• Themes: sci-fi · adventure · hope · family · indie rock
• Tickets: Know is general admission, with Pay What You Wish tiered ticket pricing. Low cost admission is $25, standard ticket price is $35 and audiences may opt to support the Know’s initiative to pay all artists and employees a living wage by selecting the $45 Living Wage Ticket. On Wednesdays, as part of a program Know calls “The Welcome Experiment,” tickets are $10 in advance, or FREE at the door.

Featured image at the top: A promotional graphic for The Light Chasers. Provided by Know Theatre of Cincinnati.