Vindication, Illinois

Vindication, Illinois is written by Ryan Kraus, winner of the first Roger Cornish Award for Playwriting. The play is a taut psychological thriller about an apparently average man, Todd who shows up at a seedy motel to make a business deal with fast-talking executive Derek. Their Mamet-esque banter turns sinister, however, when Derek includes Todd’s girlfriend Heather in the deal. “We know all about your dreams, Todd,” Derek confides — but does he mean Todd’s financial aspirations, or something more mysterious?

Mark Cofta directs.