yo ho.

Babes with Blades Theatre Company

dir. JD Caudill
by SMJ

July 19th - Aug. 29th 2026
The Edge Off-Broadway, Chicago, IL

Production Stage Manager

THE PLAY

yo ho. charts the journey of Anne Bonny and Mary Read, two pirates aboard a campy, sexually charged ship facing immediate threat from the crown. This forces them to carry on a genderqueer love story in the shadows: Anne, exploring her bisexuality for the first time & Mary, discovering that they’re trans, as they are chased and haunted by a myriad of men. Anne & Mary must become their truest selves before their inevitable capture and ensuing demise. Equal parts historical fantasy and introspective sexual and gender exploration, this play is a deeply emotional reimaging and reminder of queer history.

THE ROLE

Stage Manager for a world premiere production, leading a large production team, including supervising and training an Assistant Stage Manager through rehearsals and performances. Maintained detailed tracking across blocking, script development, and choreography for a one-to-one external understudy cast. Production featured heavy stage combat and intimacy choreography requiring close coordination with the fight and intimacy teams, including serving as fight captain. Navigated intimacy and consent-based processes with significant sensitivity and tact across two full casts.

PRODUCTION TEAM

CAST

Director

Assistant Director

Stage Manager

Assistant SM

Production Manager

Production Assistant

Costume Design

Fight Director

Assist Fight Director

Intimacy Design

Lighting Design

Props Design

Scenic Design

Sound Design

Technical Director

Playwright

Calico Jack

Anne Bonny

Mary Read

Chad/James

Vanessa

U/S Calico Jack

U/S Anne Bonny

U/S Mary Read

U/S Chad/James

U/S Vanessa

JD Caudill
Katherine Coyl
Grace Elizabeth Mealey

Talia Neidorf

Rose Hamill
Payton Shearn
Jennifer Mohr
Carly Belle "CB" Cason
Meme Matteson
Alyssa Vera Ramos
Laura Wiley
Maddie Abelson
Amy Gilman
Alex Kingsley
Line Bower
SMJ

Stef Brundage

Rachel Sleek-Banuelos
Sierra Buffum
William Delforge

Brittani Yawn

Cris King

Stephanie Fongheiser

Mak Van Raalte

Quintin Craig
Schnaude Dorizan

BWBTC STAFF

Artistic Director

Managing Director

PR & Marketing

Hayley Rice