Nervous Theatre is a nomadic theatrical collective with a penchant for adventurous, innovative storytelling. Their high-spirited productions often feature classic works that have been “radically reimagined” by the performers. This group has put their unique stamp on everything from traditional plays to an experimental theatre production based on a Pasolini film.

I sat down with Connor Berkompas, director of Nervous Theatre’s latest creation, to chat about the group’s immersive retelling of Bertolt Brecht’s The Caucasian Chalk Circle. The production enjoyed a sold out run this summer at Tinworks Art, and will return to Bozeman at The Ellen Theatre on October 7th and 8th.



Mik Close: What is The Caucasian Chalk Circle about, and what can audiences expect from this production?

Connor Berkompas: Chalk Circle is a medieval fable set somewhere in the Caucasus mountain range. During the outbreak of war, a noblewoman abandons her baby as she’s fleeing the palace. Grusha, a kitchen maid, rescues the child and embarks on a perilous journey… I think it’s a really beautiful story about how we care for one another. And it asks us to look at the role of “care” in our own communities. There are certainly political implications; Bertolt Brecht was a Marxist playwright, but it’s also a deeply human story.

Our production is unique in that we’re using only four actors to tell this really epic saga. Danielle Sather plays Grusha, the kitchenmaid, and then three performers (Sympathie the Clown, Isabel Shaida, and Gabriel Taurman) play over 30 surrounding characters. It’s a highly theatrical and physical production, in that the four performers are constantly transforming themselves and the space as we move through the story. This is definitely the most fun I’ve ever had with Brecht. And audiences seem to be having a lot of fun, too!

MC: What was it like working with these four actors?

CCB: These are four of the most talented, dedicated people I have ever worked with. They are also four very different and singular performing artists. They each have their own unique approach to the work, and I think that makes for an incredibly rich experience. I am constantly in awe by what these performers bring to the characters, and how they’ve collaborated to build this fully-realized world.


MC: Describe the process of creating this production of The Caucasian Chalk Circle.

CCB: The process—like all of our productions at Nervous Theatre—was highly collaborative. The cast and I worked together using devising techniques and movement explorations in rehearsals to create the staging. The challenge for us was, how do we create an entire world with only four performers and make the storytelling as clear and exciting as possible? We spent many hours running around the Tinworks warehouse, letting the space itself inform our staging. There is a lot of PLAY that goes into creating this type of theatre.

MC: The production is billed as “immersive.” How will audiences be immersed in this story?

CCB: Our production will bring audiences at the Ellen Theatre directly into the conversation. Throughout the evening, you might be asked to move to different seating configurations, off and on stage. It feels like everyone is going on this journey with Grusha as they move about the space with her. When we premiered the piece at Tinworks Art, we had an entire warehouse complex to play around in! The Ellen is a very traditional theatre venue, so I am excited to see how the production adapts for this new space… how we can use the space in interesting ways to maintain the “immersive” quality of our original staging. I’m also excited for patrons who are used to attending events at The Ellen to experience the theatre in a different way.


MC: Do you have a favorite moment in Chalk Circle?

CCB: So many, but I think one of my favorites is the first time we ask the audience to move. There is so much excitement built into that point of the show, and the audience is right there with us, ready to join the characters on their journey. There is also a dance party somewhere in there, which is really fun.

The Caucasian Chalk Circle will be performed October 7th and 8th at The Ellen Theatre. Tickets are $22.25 and may be purchased online at theellentheatre.org or by calling The Ellen box office at (406) 585-5885. Please note: Throughout the performance, patrons will be asked to move to and from different seating configurations. Ticket buyers are asked to call The Ellen Theatre box office with concerns regarding mobility. There will be no late seating due to the immersive nature of the staging. More information on the production and Nervous Theatre can be found at nervoustheatre.com.

Mik Close is a photographer and visual stylist located in Bozeman, Montana. Their photography brand ‘GemDeCreme’ works with individual brands to create elevated, quality imagery with a contemporary and refreshing energy. Mik holds a BA in Photography from Montana State University.