Fugard Collaboration

Court Theatre, Remy Bumppo and TimeLine Theatre have been hard at work the last few months collaborating on a project called Fugard Chicago 2010. Each company is coincidently producing a play by the playwright Athol Fugard this season and so they began having conversations about how they could work together. They just launched the website this week at http://www.fugardchicago2010.org/. In addition to providing some information on Fugard and each of their plays, they are offering a three play pass to see all of their shows. The League provided some support for the website so that it can be available as a template for future collaborations. Check it out and if you and some other companies are interested in working together in a similar way please contact us for more details. We hope that this model can help foster valuable conversations and partnerships, and help you reach new audiences and create greater awareness of your work.

'Tis the Season

Season of Concern and The League of Chicago Theatres invite you to eat, drink and be merry. Industry Holiday Party. Awards Presentation. Mad, Hot Sing-off.
Monday, December 7, 2009
6:30 p.m. at the Chopin Theatre, 1543 W Division St.
Suggested donation benefits Season of Concern
The 2009 Larry Sloan Awards honor Jonathan Abarbanel, Rondi Reed, and the Actor’s Fund.

Cultural Exchange Opportunity

Russian Modern Theater is looking for a partner theater in USA that may be interested in a cultural exchange. In 1990, Russian Modern Theater visited the USA, touring in Chicago and Los Angeles. Plays had a great success and wide press coverage. In recent years, the theater has been touring in Europe, visiting Germany, France, Poland, Finland, and other countries. In 2007, artistic director of the Theater, Svetlana Vragova, received a Hall of Fame honor in Chicago as a "woman who makes a difference" for her impact on culture. For more information on the Theater, please visit (www.modern-theatre.ru) or contact the Theater’s producer, Elena Beier, at eshaposhnikova@hotmail.com.

Not for Profit Audits: The Basics

CPAs for the Public Interest
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Registration: 5:00 pm Workshop: 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Receive an overview of the audit process for not-for-profits, including when an audit is needed, choosing an auditor, and preparing for and ensuring a successful audit. Learn how to get the most out of your audit and about your Board's important role in overseeing the audit process. Discuss the effects of recent changes in accounting standards that make audits more challenging for not-for-profits and how you can best prepare your organization to address these challenges.
Presenter: Clifford Shapiro, CPA - Blackman Kallick,
Illinois CPA Society, 550 W. Jackson Suite 900, Chicago, IL 60661
Cost: $40.00 per person per workshop
To register, call 800.993.0393 and refer to Course Code: PI129

Chicago Musical Theatre Director/Dramatist Exchange

Monday, December 7th, 2009, 7-9 PM
Goodman Theatre Club Mezz, 2nd Floor
170 North Dearborn Street, Chicago

This event will be co-hosted by Douglas Post (Chicago Regional Rep, DG), and Elizabeth Margolius (Co-Founder and Co-Artistic Director of DirectorsLabChicago).

This two-hour networking session will introduce Chicago-area dramatists who are composers, lyricists and librettists to directors who are working in the Chicago area and are interested in new musicals. After a brief introduction to each other, dramatists and directors may mingle and talk further. If you would like to attend, please e-mail Elizabeth Margolius at info@directorslabchicago.com. It is important that we receive your response no later than Wednesday, November 25th. The first 20 directors who respond will receive a reservation to the event. However, in order to secure a reservation, you must submit a statement with your initial e-mail. This statement should consist of three things: (1) your contact information, (2) your professional biography (one paragraph only, written in the third person) and (3) an artistic statement outlining the type of musical stage work which most interests you (one paragraph only). All statements must be included within the body of your email. No attachments please! After we receive these materials, your reservation will be confirmed. Then, prior to the event, you will receive statements from all the dramatists attending as well as statements from the other directors.

Performance Space Availability

Stage Left Theatre has performance space to rent at its 49-seat theatre at 3408 N Sheffield. Primetime weeks, off-nights and late-nights available between December 14th and February 6th at a negotiable discount depending on specific timing and length of run. (usual rates: $850/week for primetime, $250/week for off-night or late-night). Lighting and sound equipment included, must provide your own box office and house manager. Call Laura at 773-883-8830 or email sltchicago@stagelefttheatre.com with questions or to tour space.

Industry Ticket Offers

Aunt Dan and Lemon – BackStage Theatre Company, at the Chopin Theatre, 1543 W Division, is offering $10 industry tickets to every Thursday and Sunday performance through December 20. Use code INDUSTRY on http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/81260, email reservations@backstagetheatrecompany.org, or walk-up - proof of Industry requested at the door.

A Very Merry Unauthorized Children's Scientology Pageant - A Red Orchid Theatre, 1531 N. Wells is offering $20 discounted tickets to tickets orders before Thanksgiving, November 26th (tickets may be purchased for the entirety of the run, November 15th - January 3rd, 2010). Call the box office at 312-943-8722 and ask for "Xenu" to claim this offer.

How to Act Around Cops – The Artistic Home, 3914 N. Clark St. is offering $10 industry tickets on November 22 at 7 p.m.

An Evening with Charles Busch and Julie Halston – Victory Gardens Biograph Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave. is offering $5 off tickets on December 7 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets must be purchased before Sunday, November 22. For tickets call 773-871-3000 or visit the box office and use code BIOGRAPH.

Support Season of Concern at Pooch on Scrooge

Bark Humbug! Get a picture of your pooch with Scrooge and support Season of Concern.
Saturday, November 14, 9 - 11:30am

Now it's not just the kids who get to star in the family holiday photo! Bring your favorite canine to the Goodman to pose with Scrooge from A Christmas Carol and receive a holiday photo of your pooch on Scrooge. Dogs dressed in holiday attire are entered to win a gift basket from Barker & Meowsky, a paw firm.Your 'quick take' digital portrait will be taken by celebrated photographer David Sutton of Sutton Studios. A $10 recommended donation benefits Season of Concern.

Learn more & RSVP

Mentorships

We are now accepting interested mentees and mentors for our 2010 Mentorship program. We're thrilled to continue this valuable program after a successful first year in 2009. One of our 2009 mentees said this about the mentorship program:

"Awesome program. It has done more for me professionally than anything else I have been involved with in Chicago."

We've already received quite a few inquiries and want to make sure that everyone who would like a mentor is accomodated. If you or someone at your company is interested in having a mentor please email ben@chicagoplays.com, and include:

• one priority you'd like to address with that mentor's guidance (e.g. board development, fundraising, finance management, marketing)
• a list of people that you'd ideally like as a mentor or companies you see as a model.

Mentorships will begin in January 2010 and last for one year. Mentees must be affiliated with a member organization of the League of Chicago Theatres. Contact ben@chicagoplays.com with any questions.