October 29, 2025
Tracy Wamarema '28
Esther, Frog Queen: A world premiere built on mentorship and homecoming
On the eve of Halloween, the Lake Forest College Department of Theater debuts Esther, Frog Queen, written by local playwright Julie Marie Myatt and directed by Chair of Theater and Associate Professor of Theater and Performance Studies Chloe Johnston.
The play follows Martin, believed to be the last frog of his species, trapped in a laboratory under the watch of an ambitious scientist. When Esther, the last female frog, is discovered, she is captured and instructed to mate with Martin, reproduce and save their species. But Esther resists the role assigned to her—determined, with the help of some lizards, to reclaim her freedom and live on her own terms.
“Julie took an obscure science story and spun it into a funny, moving, thought-provoking comedy about women’s bodily autonomy and ecological collapse,” said Johnston.
To bring Myatt’s vision to life, Johnston collaborated with faculty, students and alumni, including Charlie Alves ’08 and KJ Robinson ’24.
The production runs October 30 to November 2 at Hixon Hall.
Esther, Frog Queen
Robinson describes the show as a “looking glass” into reality, a sentiment Alves shares: “It reflects how you can live your life without ever realizing that you’re in a cage,” said Alves. Centered on Esther’s choice— or lack thereof—to have children, the play’s themes extend beyond gender.
“Every character in this play has beliefs that are challenged, and every one of them has to be brave,” Johnston said.
Esther, Frog Queen does more than just entertain; Alves noted that the goal of theater has always been to help audiences see things from different perspectives—a sentiment that Johnston agrees with.
“I hope the audience walks away thinking about what we owe each other as humans, and what our responsibility is to take care of the world around us,” said Johnston.
From students to collaborators
Robinson returns to work as a sound designer while Alves handles projection designs on the play. “He's more focused on visuals and I'm more focused on auditory,” said Robinson.
Both alumni credit their time at Lake Forest for giving them the mentorship and creative freedom that shaped their professional paths.
As a student, Robinson was part of the Garrick Players executive board that started the Friday Nights in the Grove series—an ongoing Forester tradition where students perform every Friday behind Hixon. This helped her discover what she valued most: the freedom to create, a value that now shapes her work as the Director of Marketing at Community Advocates of Northern Indiana.
Similarly, Alves discovered his passion when he served as the video designer for Rocky Horror Picture Show. “It was the first time in my life that I figured out that you could just figure it out. Make it, shoot it and figure it out.” said Alves.
From that play onwards, he joined every production, be it through video, lights, set design, acting or directing— a true jack of all trades. “What that does is it leaves the door open for possibilities,” said Alves. That flexibility laid the foundation for his electric career, wearing multiple hats from video designer to tour manager.
Returning to the Forest
For both artists, returning to the College is a homecoming. “My family has been tied to Lake Forest College forever,” said Alves. His parents helped start the women’s hockey program, familiarizing him with the Forest from a young age.
Robinson’s connection runs through her mother, a 1988 alumna who once acted in the play For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow is Enuf. Her photo remains on Hixon’s walls. “My parents actually met here, so it’s a very full circle thing,” said Robinson.
This is not the first time Robinson has returned to campus to assist with a theater production.
“I love everybody here, the stage management team, the directors, so I'm always happy to come back,” said Robinson, who recently helped with Seussical the Musical and trained the student sound crew.
Alves continues to collaborate with current Foresters, recently helping the men’s hockey team produce video projects.
“Working here means I get to collaborate with the most creative, talented, generous, and funny young artists you can hope for,” said Johnston.
The production of Esther, Frog Queen is an example of this creative collaboration. Bringing it to fruition involved multiple departments: student composers from the Department of Music, an animal lab tour with Assistant Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience Hannah Carlson, and discussions of feminism with Associate Professor of Communication Liz Benacka.
In the end, Esther, Frog Queen isn’t just a play—it’s a mirror of the community that built it: inventive, interconnected, and always ready to figure it out.