Babes With Blades Theatre Company
Babes With Blades Theatre Company uses stage combat to tell stories that elevate the voices of underrepresented communities and dismantle the patriarchy. Based in Chicago, IL linktr.ee/BWBTC
- Our 2026 season is here! The world premiere of yo ho. (a pirate play about Mary Read & Anne Bonny) by SMJ (they/them) Directed by JD Caudill (they/them) @ The Edge Off Broadway July 25 - August 29, 2026 #WorldPremiere #ChicagoStorefront #StageCombat #LiveTheatre #BWBTC #Shakespeare #Pirates
- BWBTC Shakespeare: King Lear Directed by Alison Dornheggen (she/her) @ Theater Wit October 17 - November 21, 2026 #WorldPremiere #ChicagoStorefront #StageCombat #LiveTheatre #BWBTC #Shakespeare #Pirates
- The hired sword Bosola (Moe) assists with The Duchess' downfall, but allying with power leads to the same bitter end. Our 2023 production The Duchess of Malfi: a tragic tale more relevant than ever. These stories won't be possible without your support. Make a donation today. #SaveMoe #BWBTC
- A Queen & her Fool in a deadly dance: the commedia dell’arte of L’Imbecile. Moe sadly didn’t make it to the end of show thanks to Kathrynne Wolf’s Fool 'help'. We’re 1/2 through Dec, but not yet 1/2 to our goal. Please consider making a donation today! #SaveMoe #StageCombat #ChicagoStorefront
- Happy (belated) Opening to our friends at Strawdog Theatre and their 9th year of Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins! This family friendly Hanukkah show runs on Saturdays and Sundays throughout all of December. Ensemble Member Jillian Leff plays Leor in this year's production!
- Join us in the wayback machine to the Ides of March! Julius Caesar was one of BWBTC’s biennial Shakespeare production, with Moe as the ill-fated title role. Want to see more historical ⚔ with a twist? Make a donation today! Link in bio. #SaveMoe #BWBTC #BabesWithBladesTheatreCompany #StageCombat
- Happy Giving Tuesday BWBTC Community!⚔ It’s the start of our Annual Appeal, and this year we wanted to do something different.... #BWBTC #BabesWithBladesTheatreCompany #GivingTuesday #BabesWithBlades #StageCombat #ChicagoStorefront
- You have only two chances left to catch The Mark! 🎟️🎟️🎟️Link to tickets in our bio! 🎟️🎟️🎟️ 📸Photo by Joe Mazza/Brave Lux Inv. #NewWork #theater #theatre #NewPlays #StageCombat #BWBTC #TheMark
- Enjoy the last two online performances as you lounge. Get your tickets now for The Mark. 🎟️🎟️🎟️Link to tickets in our bio! 🎟️🎟️🎟️ 📸Photo by Joe Mazza/Brave Lux Inc. #NewWork #theater #theatre #NewPlays #StageCombat #BWBTC #TheMark
- He's back to kill it again tonight! #NewPlays #StageCombat #BWBTC #TheMark #understudy #Wonderstudy #NewWork
- We are so thrilled that tonight, the role of Jack usually played by Whit Baxter Bates (he/they) will be played by Marck Kiselevach (he/him). $10 tickets still available with code "ThursdayMark". See you tonight at The Edge Theater. #NewPlays #StageCombat #BWBTC #TheMark #understudy
- We are so thrilled that tonight, the role of Jack usually played by Whit Baxter Bates (he/they) will be played by Marck Kiselevach (he/him). $10 tickets still available with code "ThursdayMark". See you tonight at The Edge Theater. #NewPlays #StageCombat #BWBTC #TheMark #understudy
- Our friends at Season of Concern are having a fundraiser this Saturday, November 8th from 4-8pm. 25% of event sales are donated. 5224 N Broadway location only, so pick up some food before heading over to see The Mark. Order online for pickup using code vt7hv9p or show this ad at check out.
- Don't miss our last open caption performance tonight! 🎟️🎟️Link to tickets in our bio!🎟️🎟️ 📸Photo by Joe Mazza/Brave Lux Inc. #NewWork #NewPlays #StageCombat #BWBTC #TheMark #theater
- The Mark is READER RECCOMENDED! Don't miss show critic Kimzyn Campbell says "combines a dystopian tale with thriller energy." 🎟️🎟️🎟️Link to tickets in our bio! 🎟️🎟️🎟️ 📸Photo by Brave Lux/Joe Mazza #NewWork #NewPlays #StageCombat #BWBTC #TheMark #theater
- We are so thrilled that tomorrow night is the first of our scheduled understudy performances! 🎟️🎟️🎟️Link to tickets in our bio! 🎟️🎟️🎟️ #NewWork #NewPlays #StageCombat #BWBTC #TheMark #theater
- Understudy spotlight this afternoon! Don’t miss Marck going on for a member of our multi-faceted ensemble! Also, it is day two of our open caption performances, and our last mandatory masking performance for our audience. 🎟️🎟️🎟️link to tickets in our bio!
- This weekend's accessible performances! 🎟️🎟️🎟️Link to tickets in our bio! 📸Photo by @brave.lux
- The Mark is READER RECOMMENDED! $10 tickets every Thursday night with code "ThursdayMark" Don't miss it!
- Get your seats now for our second weekend of The Mark, including this Sunday's Sensory Friendly/Masked Audience performance. 🎟️🎟️🎟️Link to tickets in our bio!🎟️🎟️🎟️ 📸Photo by Joe Mazza/Brave Lux Inc.
- There are many ways to enjoy the BWBTC experience. Our variety of accessible options start this weekend. 🎟️🎟️🎟️Links to tickets in our bio and more information on these performances on our website.🎟️🎟️🎟️ 📸Photo by Brave Lux/Joe Mazza
- The Mark is open and critics are thrilled by this "tense" and "energetic" world premiere. If you were not able to join our ranks last weekend, don't worry. We run through Nov. 22nd. 🎟️🎟️Tickets in our bio! 🎟️🎟️ 📸by Joe Mazza/Brave Lux Inc #NewWork #NewPlays #StageCombat #BWBTC #TheMark #theater
- Happy opening to the entire team of THE MARK. This world premiere runs through November 22nd. See you at The Edge Theater. 📸 by Joe Mazza/Brave Lux Inc. #TheMark #BWBTC #WorldPremiere #ChicagoTheatre #StageCombat
- Meet the team for The Mark before opening night on Saturday!
- MEET THE TEAM OF THE MARK 🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪 Whit Baxter Bates (He/They; Jack) is a nonbinary creator with a passion for physical storytelling and acting on camera.....
- Whit’s background in aerial dance, martial arts, and circus inspires him to dig into the physical elements of his character and bring reality to fantasy. He’s enjoyed working with companies like Factory Theatre, Impostors Theatre Co, Idle Muse, and now Babes with Blades. Enjoy the show!
- The Mark A World Premiere by BWBTC Ensemble Member Jillian Leff (she/her) Directed by Richard Costes (he/him) October 11 - November 22, 2025 The Edge Theater (5451 N. Broadway) Tickets on Sale Now. Link in bio.
- The Mark centers in a far-future stratocracy where a young laborer Raina is given a chance to join "The Army". As she acclimates to her higher social standing, a resistance is brewing, upending Raina’s life. She becomes caught in the middle of a class war, & her internal battle for what is right.
- Join us in wishing ensemble member Morgan Manasa a very Happy Birthday. Please consider continuing the celebration by making a donation in the birthday person’s honor. Donation link in our bio!
- We just want to thank everybody who attended our 2025 Fighting Words Festival. We would also like to thank all the talented artists who made the fest possible, especially our playwrights who trusted us with their scripts. Keep an eye on this space for info on our upcoming production: The Mark.
- Join us in wishing ensemble member Izis Mollinedo a very Happy Birthday! Photo by Cotton Hensley.
- Enjoy this sneak peak of the fight in our staged reading of Calvaria. You have one more chance to catch this reading with a fully choregraphed fight, as well as "yo ho." & "Two Out of Three Falls" this weekend at The Fighting Words Festival. Ticket link in bio.
- There’s just one weekend left for our 2025 Fighting Words Festival @ Bramble Arts. Sunday, Sept. 14 at 2:30 p.m. is your last chance to catch yo ho. By SMJ (they/them) Directed by BWBTC Artistic Associate Maureen Yasko (she/her) Fight Direction by Carly Belle Cason (she/they)
- Don’t miss your chance to catch this dynamic staged reading with a full choreographed fight, and your chance to provide feedback to these developing scripts. Tickets start at just $5. Ticket link in bio. Don't miss it!
- Join us in wishing artistic associate Maureen Yasko a very Happy Birthday (one day late). Please consider continuing the celebration by making a donation in the birthday person’s honor. Donation link in our bio! Photo by brave lux/Joe Mazza
- There’s just one weekend left for our 2025 Fighting Words Festival @ Bramble Arts Loft. Saturday, Sept. 13 at 7:30 p.m. is your last chance to catch CALVARIA: A PLAY FOR FERAL GIRLS (Winner of the 2025 - 2026 Margaret W. Martin Award/Joining Sword and Pen International Playwriting Competition)
- By Maggie Smith (she/her) Directed by BWBTC Ensemble Member Morgan Manasa (she/her) Fight Direction by Jessica Pennachio (she/her) Don’t miss your chance to catch this staged reading w/ a choreographed fight, & to provide feedback to these developing scripts. Tickets start at just $5. Link in bio.
- You have just ONE MORE WEEKEND to catch the 2025 Fighting Words Festival. This Saturday, Sept. 13 at 2:30 p.m. is your last chance to catch Two Out of Three Falls by Bill Daniel. Tickets start at just $5. Don't miss it! Ticket link in bio.
- Check out our Artistic Director Hayley Rice discussing our 2025 Fighting Words Festival with Scott Duff and Ellen Miller on OUT CHICAGO. You have just ONE MORE WEEKEND to catch all the exciting new scripts in this year's festival. Tickets start at just $5. Don't miss it! Link in bio.
- The Fighting Words Festival is underway with "Calvaria". There are still tickets available for this evenings reading of "yo ho" and tomorrow afternoon's performance of "Two Out of Three Falls". Come enjoy these thrilling new scripts, and provide feedback to our playwright. Ticket link in bio.
- Our 2025 Fighting Words Festival starts in TWO DAYS and are thrilled to introduce you to our cast of “Two Out of Three Falls” by Bill Daniel. #NewWorks #ChicagoPlays #ChicagoTheatre #NewPlays #NewTheatre #StageCombat
- Left to right: Jackie Cartwright - Patrick Blashill (He/Him) Johanna Goodish - Brittany Ellis (She/Her) Amos Goodish - Eric Federickson (He/Him) Gilda Saxton - Kim Fukawa (She/Her) Olympus Montez/Podcast Co-host - Jelani Julyus (He/Him)
- Stage Directions - Lizzy Mosher (She/Her) Eduardo Quinones - Jorge Salas (He/Him) Meg Bishop - Amber Washington (She/Her) Dan Metzger/Tony Voss/Promoter - Jason Weinberg (He/Him)
- You can catch “Two Out of Three Falls” on Sunday, Sept. 7 at 2:30 p.m. & Saturday, Sept. 13 at 2:30 p.m. All performances at @brambleartsloft. Tickets on sale now. Link in bio. #NewWorks #ChicagoPlays #ChicagoTheatre #NewPlays #NewTheatre #StageCombat
- We are so excited that our 2025 Fighting Words Festival starts this weekend and are thrilled to introduce you to our cast of “yo ho.” by SMJ. #NewWorks #ChicagoPlays #ChicagoTheatre #NewPlays #NewTheatre #StageCombat
- Left to right: Anne Bonny/Andy/Ana - Katherine Coyl (She/They) Stage Directions - RJ Hagberg (She/They) Chad and Others - Vic Kuligoski (He/Him) Mary Read/Mark/M - Meme Matteson (She/They) Calico Jack - Josua Pennington (They/He) Vanessa and Others - Claudia Sevilla (She/Her)
- You can catch “yo ho.” on Sat, Sept. 6 @ 7:30 p.m. & Sun, Sept. 14 at 2:30 p.m. All performances at @brambleartsloft. Tickets on sale now. Link in bio. #NewWorks #ChicagoPlays #ChicagoTheatre #NewPlays #NewTheatre #StageCombat
