Columbia College Chicago Theatre Department alums are on the creative/production team for the world premiere of 1980 (Or Why I’m Voting for John Anderson), running October 17-December 20. Presented by Jackalope Theatre, an ensemble founded and led by Columbia College Theatre Department alums, the play concerns idealistic young campaign workers for U.S. Rep. John Anderson (R-Ill.), a long-shot candidate for the Republican Party’s presidential nomination in 1980. 1980 (Or Why I’m Voting For John Anderson) pits youthful optimism against the status quo, in a world premiere comedy about class, race, and the politics of change.

The show is directed by Columbia College alumnus Kaiser Ahmed ’08, a graduate of Columbia College’s Theatre Directing program. Ahmed is a co-founder and Associate Artistic Director of Jackalope Theatre.

Columbia alum Claire Chrzan ’11, a graduate of Columbia’s Theatre Design program, is a lighting designer and master electrician on the production. Columbia alum Almanya Narula ’16, a graduate of the Theatre Department’s BA Program in Acting with a Minor in Stage Combat as well as a Voiceover Minor from the Columbia College Chicago Communication Department,  is the show’s fight choreographer. And Columbia student Sabina Dzelilovic, a senior in the Theatre Department’s BFA Program in Theatre Directing, is the show’s dramaturg.