How The Sausage Gets Made

BY THE DEVISING ENSEMBLE OF FACTION OF FOOLS

at Capitol Hill Arts Workshop

545 7TH STREET, SE WASHINGTON DC

July 17 – August 9, 2025

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

The Fools take on the biggest circus in town with this original political comedy…

Family friendly, contains some PG-13 humor

Open Captioned Performance Dates: Thursday, July 31st 730pm, Friday, August 1st 730pm, Saturday, August 2nd 2pm and Saturday, August 2nd at 730pm

Medical Mask Required Performances: Saturday, July 26th at 2pm, Saturday, August 2nd at 2pm, and Saturday, August 9th at 2pm. Masks will be available at the box office at all performances.

Faction of Fools Theatre Company, DC’s Commedia dell’Arte theatre company, continues its sweet 16th Season with a brand new, ensemble-devised political comedy: HOW THE SAUSAGE GETS MADE. Freshman Congressman Nathan Newbright explodes onto the DC political scene with hope and gumption to accomplish the impossible: passing a bill. In a world where a Chorus of Media is always watching and your adversary is not necessarily from across the aisle, Newbright navigates the duality that the purpose of government is to help people, but it is run by…people. HOW THE SAUSAGE GETS MADE is a political comedy written by a diverse ensemble that embodies the zeitgeist of Washington DC in 2025. Working with a dramaturgical Political Consultant, Faction of Fools created a story bubbling with magical realism but reflective of the absurdity of American politics. Faction of Fools has entertained audiences since 2009 through the hallmarks of Commedia dell’Arte: masks, physical comedy, and recognizable archetypes. At its core, Commedia dell’Arte is a form that pokes fun at society, often making fun of the powerful and celebrating the triumph of the powerless. The Fools seek such triumph with earnestness, comedy, and hope.

Directed by: Francesca Chilcote
Stage Manager: Samantha Nodarse Owen
Associate Director: Natalie Cutcher
Production Manager: Cris Ruthenberg-Marshall

Starring: Rebecca Ballinger, Robert Pike, Andrew Quilpa, Jesse Terrill, Arika Thames, and Kathryn Zoerb

Understudies: Caitlin Frazier, Seth Langer, and Isabelle Jennings Pickering

Production Team

Scenic Design: Johnny Weissgerber

Lighting Design: William K. D’Eugenio

Costume Design: Cidney Forkpah

Sound Design: Kenny Neal

Music Composition: Jesse Terrill

Mask Design: Tara Cariaso of Waxing Moon Masks

Props Design: Katherine Offutt Ross

Music Director & Commedia dell’Arte Coach: Kathryn Zoerb

Dramaturg and Political Consultant: “Pryor Moral”

Associate Production Managers: Lilli Hokama & Robert Pike

Production Photography: DJ Corey Photography

Graphic Design: Ben Lauer

Sponsored by Capitol Hill Arts Workshop and Funded by DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities