Babble Lab

Hertz Stage
45 Minutes
Best enjoyed by ages 3 to 7.
World Premiere
A one-of-a-kind new show for early learners.

By Autumn Ness   
Directed by Sarah Agnew   
 

Strap on your safety goggles and clean out your ears! When an experiment unexpectedly goes awry, a concoction of sneaky, sprightly L E T T E R S takes over a weird and wondrous science lab. Watch them jump into jars, spring from drawers, bounce around the room, and even play hide-and-seek as our scientist makes her surprising findings: Bluku terullala blaulala loooo! Rakete bee bee? Rekate bee zee! Enjoy the blubbering and blibbering exploration of spoken blurbbles as they spring forth in this one-of-a-kind, gee-gaw-filled laboratory.

Created with early learners in mind.


An Alliance Theatre and Children’s Theatre Company World Premiere Co-production 

 

Download the Activity Guide

 

“The Meaning is in the Pleasure of the Sound”

Playwright and Actress Autumn Ness on Communication, Children’s Theatre, and Babble Lab

Playwright and Actress Autumn Ness on Communication, Children’s Theatre, and Babble Lab

"Are You My Dada?"

How the Arts Allow Us to Reflect on Early Literacy and Language Learning

How the Arts Allow Us to Reflect on Early Literacy and Language Learning

Babble Lab Trailer

Get a sneak peek at the Babble Lab!

Get a sneak peek at the Babble Lab!

Hertz Stage

Hertz Stage view during The Whipping Man

The Alliance Theatre's Hertz Stage is a modern, 200-seat Black Box theatre. This versatile facility accommodates a number of distinct stage layouts.

More About This Venue
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  • “It’s rare to see a production where narrative takes a backseat to spectacle in a way that is so rewarding or stimulating. Certainly, as a children’s production, its value is aimed at younger audiences, but I have no doubt that an older audience will find plenty to enjoy in Ness’ work.  It’s a show about creation in its purest form — sensorial, immediate, playful, curiosity-driven and, most importantly, fun."
    ArtsATL
  • “Preschoolers are already Dada. They are bizarre, joyous, wondrous, and abstract. In thinking about my own children’s development, and my obsession with Dadaism, came forth Babble Lab.”
    Autumn Ness, Playwright & Actor

Writer

Autumn Ness (Playwright/The Scientist) is a native of the Twin Cities in Minnesota, where she has been a member of the resident acting company at Children's Theatre Company Minneapolis for 24 seasons! While at CTC, Autumn has performed in over 70 productions, many of them world premieres. During her time with CTC, Autumn has had the opportunity to perform across the country, but this is her first time in Atlanta! Autumn is a recipient of the 2018 TCG Fox Foundation Fellowship, the 2020 MRAC Next Step Fund, and the 2022 MN State Arts Board Creative Support Grant. Autumn lives with her husband, fellow actor Reed Sigmund, and her boys Sawyer and Sullivan in Stillwater, Minnesota.   

Autumn Ness
Autumn Ness
Playwright

Autumn Ness (Playwright/The Scientist) is a native of the Twin Cities in Minnesota, where she has been a member of the resident acting company at Children's Theatre Company Minneapolis for 24 seasons! While at CTC, Autumn has performed in over 70 productions, many of them world premieres. During her time with CTC, Autumn has had the opportunity to perform across the country, but this is her first time in Atlanta! Autumn is a recipient of the 2018 TCG Fox Foundation Fellowship, the 2020 MRAC Next Step Fund, and the 2022 MN State Arts Board Creative Support Grant. Autumn lives with her husband, fellow actor Reed Sigmund, and her boys Sawyer and Sullivan in Stillwater, Minnesota.   

Director

Sarah Agnew is a theater maker based out of the Twin Cities. She has performed in theaters nationwide and was a company member of Theatre de la Jeune Lune where she collaborated in the creation of multiple new works. She has toured the state with two shows she created for Sod House Theater, Arla Mae's Booyah Wagon, and Table. She is currently a producer of children's television for Children's Minnesota. 

Sarah Agnew
Sarah Agnew
Director

Sarah Agnew is a theater maker based out of the Twin Cities. She has performed in theaters nationwide and was a company member of Theatre de la Jeune Lune where she collaborated in the creation of multiple new works. She has toured the state with two shows she created for Sod House Theater, Arla Mae's Booyah Wagon, and Table. She is currently a producer of children's television for Children's Minnesota. 

Cast

Autumn Ness (Playwright/The Scientist) is a native of the Twin Cities in Minnesota, where she has been a member of the resident acting company at Children's Theatre Company Minneapolis for 24 seasons! While at CTC, Autumn has performed in over 70 productions, many of them world premieres. During her time with CTC, Autumn has had the opportunity to perform across the country, but this is her first time in Atlanta! Autumn is a recipient of the 2018 TCG Fox Foundation Fellowship, the 2020 MRAC Next Step Fund, and the 2022 MN State Arts Board Creative Support Grant. Autumn lives with her husband, fellow actor Reed Sigmund, and her boys Sawyer and Sullivan in Stillwater, Minnesota.   

Autumn Ness
Autumn Ness
The Scientist

Autumn Ness (Playwright/The Scientist) is a native of the Twin Cities in Minnesota, where she has been a member of the resident acting company at Children's Theatre Company Minneapolis for 24 seasons! While at CTC, Autumn has performed in over 70 productions, many of them world premieres. During her time with CTC, Autumn has had the opportunity to perform across the country, but this is her first time in Atlanta! Autumn is a recipient of the 2018 TCG Fox Foundation Fellowship, the 2020 MRAC Next Step Fund, and the 2022 MN State Arts Board Creative Support Grant. Autumn lives with her husband, fellow actor Reed Sigmund, and her boys Sawyer and Sullivan in Stillwater, Minnesota.   

Understudies

Morgen Chang (The Scientist) [she/her] last appeared in An American Tail the Musical with Children's Theater Company. She loves exploring new work, and has been an actor and collaborator with Jungle Theater, the Playwrights’ Center, and Interact Center for the Arts. She currently serves as Programs Manager for Theater Mu in St. Paul, Minnesota. 

Morgen Chang
Morgen Chang
The Scientist

Morgen Chang (The Scientist) [she/her] last appeared in An American Tail the Musical with Children's Theater Company. She loves exploring new work, and has been an actor and collaborator with Jungle Theater, the Playwrights’ Center, and Interact Center for the Arts. She currently serves as Programs Manager for Theater Mu in St. Paul, Minnesota. 

Creative

Annie Cady (Costume Designer) [she/her] is excited to be a part of Babble Lab at the Alliance Theatre! Favorite costume designs include The Hobbit and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea both at The Children's Theatre in Minneapolis.  Annie holds an MFA in Costume Design and Technology from the University of Minnesota and is currently the costume designer and Chair of the Theatre Department at Normandale Community College in Bloomington, Minnesota.

Annie Cady
Annie Cady
Costume Designer

Annie Cady (Costume Designer) [she/her] is excited to be a part of Babble Lab at the Alliance Theatre! Favorite costume designs include The Hobbit and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea both at The Children's Theatre in Minneapolis.  Annie holds an MFA in Costume Design and Technology from the University of Minnesota and is currently the costume designer and Chair of the Theatre Department at Normandale Community College in Bloomington, Minnesota.

Jorge Cousineau (Projection Design) is very pleased that we finally get to share this delicious madness in Atlanta. Jorge is a filmmaker and theater designer with a wide range of interests, focusing on sets, lights, sound, and projections. He originally trained as a painter in Dresden, Germany, where he was born, found his love in performance in the nineties, and followed it to Philadelphia, where he lived for over 20 years before re-locating to Biddeford, Maine. His work has been seen and heard internationally, regionally, and all over Philly. Jorge is a recipient of the Pew Fellowship in the Arts, several Barrymore Awards and the Lucille Lortel Award in New York City.   

Jorge Cousineau
Jorge Cousineau
Projection Designer

Jorge Cousineau (Projection Design) is very pleased that we finally get to share this delicious madness in Atlanta. Jorge is a filmmaker and theater designer with a wide range of interests, focusing on sets, lights, sound, and projections. He originally trained as a painter in Dresden, Germany, where he was born, found his love in performance in the nineties, and followed it to Philadelphia, where he lived for over 20 years before re-locating to Biddeford, Maine. His work has been seen and heard internationally, regionally, and all over Philly. Jorge is a recipient of the Pew Fellowship in the Arts, several Barrymore Awards and the Lucille Lortel Award in New York City.   

Katharine Horowitz (Sound Designer) is a theatrical sound designer, composer and teaching artist in Minneapolis, MN, and is thrilled to be making her Atlanta debut. She has designed critically-acclaimed and award-winning shows for the Guthrie Theater, Children's Theatre Company, The Jungle Theater, Creede Repertory Theatre, Great River Shakespeare Festival, Second City Theatricals, and many others. Katharine is a professional member of the Theatrical Sound Designers and Composers Association (TSDCA), a 2017 McKnight Theatre Artist Fellow at the Playwrights’ Center in Minneapolis, a graduate of the University of Iowa. She once donated a body part for a prop in a show! 

Katharine Horowitz
Katharine Horowitz
Sound Designer

Katharine Horowitz (Sound Designer) is a theatrical sound designer, composer and teaching artist in Minneapolis, MN, and is thrilled to be making her Atlanta debut. She has designed critically-acclaimed and award-winning shows for the Guthrie Theater, Children's Theatre Company, The Jungle Theater, Creede Repertory Theatre, Great River Shakespeare Festival, Second City Theatricals, and many others. Katharine is a professional member of the Theatrical Sound Designers and Composers Association (TSDCA), a 2017 McKnight Theatre Artist Fellow at the Playwrights’ Center in Minneapolis, a graduate of the University of Iowa. She once donated a body part for a prop in a show! 

Raiyon Hunter (Casting) is a director, producer, and arts administrator from New Orleans, Louisiana. She currently works as the Casting Director of Children’s Theatre Company (Minneapolis, MN). She enjoys supporting the theatre’s pursuits to open access and craft opportunities to recruit professional actors and young artists who are passionate, imaginative contributors to this field. Previously, she worked as a Spelman Leadership Fellow at the Alliance Theatre (Atlanta, GA) where she has worked on a multitude of shows in varying capacities ranging from Casting Associate to Director on productions such as Do You Love the Dark, Darlin’ Cory, Bina’s Six Apples, Good Bad People, Confederates, and more. Additionally, she has been in residency at Oregon Shakespeare Festival under Nataki Garrett and The Repertory Theater of St. Louis under Hana Sharif. 

Raiyon Hunter
Raiyon Hunter
Casting

Raiyon Hunter (Casting) is a director, producer, and arts administrator from New Orleans, Louisiana. She currently works as the Casting Director of Children’s Theatre Company (Minneapolis, MN). She enjoys supporting the theatre’s pursuits to open access and craft opportunities to recruit professional actors and young artists who are passionate, imaginative contributors to this field. Previously, she worked as a Spelman Leadership Fellow at the Alliance Theatre (Atlanta, GA) where she has worked on a multitude of shows in varying capacities ranging from Casting Associate to Director on productions such as Do You Love the Dark, Darlin’ Cory, Bina’s Six Apples, Good Bad People, Confederates, and more. Additionally, she has been in residency at Oregon Shakespeare Festival under Nataki Garrett and The Repertory Theater of St. Louis under Hana Sharif. 

Wu Chen Khoo (LX Desinger) [he/him] is a lighting designer, stagehand, production manager and labour organizer. He is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota and works internationally. Some of his lighting designs have been seen at Penumbra Theatre, Theater Mu, Theatre de la Jeune Lune, the Fitzgerald Theater, Children’s Theatre Company and the Guthrie Theater. He co-founded the education program Technical Tools of the Trade, which aimed to train, connect and support people through the skills of technical theatre. He is a founding member of the Class & the Arts collective and The Mothership, both groups of workers organizing to build Solidarity and hold space for critical engagement with issues of social justice including through the arts & entertainment industry. He is the Production Manager for the Macalester College Theater and Dance Department in Saint Paul, Minnesota. He is a proud member of IATSE. He shares his life with his partner Kristin and children Teng Jin and Yi Lian.

Wu Chen Khoo
Wu Chen Khoo
Lx Designer

Wu Chen Khoo (LX Desinger) [he/him] is a lighting designer, stagehand, production manager and labour organizer. He is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota and works internationally. Some of his lighting designs have been seen at Penumbra Theatre, Theater Mu, Theatre de la Jeune Lune, the Fitzgerald Theater, Children’s Theatre Company and the Guthrie Theater. He co-founded the education program Technical Tools of the Trade, which aimed to train, connect and support people through the skills of technical theatre. He is a founding member of the Class & the Arts collective and The Mothership, both groups of workers organizing to build Solidarity and hold space for critical engagement with issues of social justice including through the arts & entertainment industry. He is the Production Manager for the Macalester College Theater and Dance Department in Saint Paul, Minnesota. He is a proud member of IATSE. He shares his life with his partner Kristin and children Teng Jin and Yi Lian.

Michael Sommers has worked in the Theatre Arts for forty years as a director, designer, playwright, composer, performer, puppeteer, builder and scenic painter. He co-founded Open Eye Figure Theatre in 2000 and in 2008 opened the doors to a permanent venue in south Minneapolis, where he created over forty original works for the Open Eye stage. He is a Professor Emeritus of the Department of Theatre at the University of Minnesota and the recipient of numerous grants and awards. 

Michael Sommers
Michael Sommers
Scenic Designer

Michael Sommers has worked in the Theatre Arts for forty years as a director, designer, playwright, composer, performer, puppeteer, builder and scenic painter. He co-founded Open Eye Figure Theatre in 2000 and in 2008 opened the doors to a permanent venue in south Minneapolis, where he created over forty original works for the Open Eye stage. He is a Professor Emeritus of the Department of Theatre at the University of Minnesota and the recipient of numerous grants and awards. 

Crew

Liz Campbell (Stage Manager) [she/her] Favorite Alliance credits include: A Tale of Two Cities, A Christmas Carol, The Incredible Book Eating Boy, The Many Wondrous Realities of Jasmine Starr-Kidd, Bina’s Six Apples, Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed, Max Makes a Million, The Wizard of Oz, The Dancing Granny, Cinderella and Fella, Ugly Lies the Bone, Pancakes, Pancakes!, Tiger Style!, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical, James and the Giant Peach, Shrek, and Charlotte’s Web. Other local credits include: The Shining (The Atlanta Opera), The Drowsy Chaperone, Camelot, The World Goes Round, Million Dollar Quartet, Monty Python's Spamalot, and Ragtime. (Atlanta Lyric Theatre); In the Continuum (Synchronicity Theatre); Book of Will and It’s a Wonderful Life (Theatrical Outfit). She has been the Stage Manager for the GHSMTA (Shuler Awards) since 2015. She holds a BFA in Theatre from Niagara University. Member of Actors’ Equity Association. Co-founder of Atlanta Theatre Artists for Justice. Love to Ali and Maggie. 

Liz Campbell
Liz Campbell
Stage Manager

Liz Campbell (Stage Manager) [she/her] Favorite Alliance credits include: A Tale of Two Cities, A Christmas Carol, The Incredible Book Eating Boy, The Many Wondrous Realities of Jasmine Starr-Kidd, Bina’s Six Apples, Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed, Max Makes a Million, The Wizard of Oz, The Dancing Granny, Cinderella and Fella, Ugly Lies the Bone, Pancakes, Pancakes!, Tiger Style!, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical, James and the Giant Peach, Shrek, and Charlotte’s Web. Other local credits include: The Shining (The Atlanta Opera), The Drowsy Chaperone, Camelot, The World Goes Round, Million Dollar Quartet, Monty Python's Spamalot, and Ragtime. (Atlanta Lyric Theatre); In the Continuum (Synchronicity Theatre); Book of Will and It’s a Wonderful Life (Theatrical Outfit). She has been the Stage Manager for the GHSMTA (Shuler Awards) since 2015. She holds a BFA in Theatre from Niagara University. Member of Actors’ Equity Association. Co-founder of Atlanta Theatre Artists for Justice. Love to Ali and Maggie. 

Madeline Conrad (Stage Management Production Assistant) [she/her] is so excited to work with the Alliance again! Previous credits include Fat Ham, The Incredible Book Eating Boy (Alliance Theatre); Guys and Dolls and Matilda the Musical (Atlanta Lyric); Sweat, RENT, She Kills Monsters, The SpongeBob Musical, and Everybody (Kennesaw State University). She is a senior Theatre and Performance studies student at Kennesaw State University. Madeline is delighted to be a part of the Babble Lab team and thanks her wonderful family and mentors for their love and support.  

Madeline Conrad
Madeline Conrad
Stage Management Production Assistant

Madeline Conrad (Stage Management Production Assistant) [she/her] is so excited to work with the Alliance again! Previous credits include Fat Ham, The Incredible Book Eating Boy (Alliance Theatre); Guys and Dolls and Matilda the Musical (Atlanta Lyric); Sweat, RENT, She Kills Monsters, The SpongeBob Musical, and Everybody (Kennesaw State University). She is a senior Theatre and Performance studies student at Kennesaw State University. Madeline is delighted to be a part of the Babble Lab team and thanks her wonderful family and mentors for their love and support.  

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