Thursday, February 24, 2011

What's the Next Step?

Collaboration…yep we do that all the time. It’s funny, as I think about it I think that being a member of the League forces you to collaborate. Like it or not we make you collaborate on things like SHOWGO! What’s that? Well, you are all listed on a bingo like card that people are downloading or picking up at Hot Tix and they have to go to at least four theatres and then they bring their proof of purchase to Hot Tix and they get a $50 gift certificate to a Lettuce Entertain You Restaurant. Cool right – the idea is that they will take a chance on a theatre they’ve never been to before to get that fourth ticket and WIN! That’s a plug for SHOWGO! but seriously we do all kinds of other collaborations all the time. And I’ve heard some good ideas lately for others.

So what’s the next step in collaboration or resource sharing or whatever you want to call it? Where can we go that we haven’t been before? Can you think of a collaboration or a way to share resources that would help you better fulfill your mission or help you to get to the place your company wants to be financially? Can you think of a collaboration that would save us all a lot of money?

Let’s hear it. See below for a forum we are having but also feel free to comment, email or call.

Deb


COLLABORATION FORUM
Collaboration and resource sharing have been topics of great interest in many circles lately. Please join us for an informal forum on Monday, March 7 from 6 - 7:30 p.m., at the League offices, 228 S. Wabash, Suite 200 to talk about these issues - what would you like to collaborate on, what could you or would you share? What does your ideal collaboration look like? What are the areas most ripe for collaboration? RSVP to ben@chicagoplays.com to attend.

DirectorsLabChicago 2011 Application Now Available

Now in its seventh year, DirectorsLabChicago offers environments in which emerging and established stage directors from all over the world are able to consider, challenge, and engage in both the traditional and contemporary aspects of their craft. At this year’s Lab, we will explore The Impact of Theatre: How can the art of storytelling provoke new thought, encourage social and political change, and inspire personal transformation? The Lab will take place from June 26th through July 1st, 2011 at the Chicago Cultural Center and several off-site locations.

Applications must be emailed no later than Saturday, March 26th, 2011.

To learn more about DirectorsLabChicago or to download an application, please visit our website at http://www.directorslabchicago.com/.

Industry Ticket Offer

Creative Force Spring Dance Showcase – Academy Trainees of The Joffrey Ballet is offering buy one $10 ticket, get one free on March 6 at 4:00 pm. Call 312.334.7777 and use the code INDUSTRY or visit www.joffrey.org/creativeforce for more information.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Meet Remy Bumppo's new Artistic Director on 3/1

Tuesday, March 1st, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Greenhouse Theater Center

2257 N. Lincoln Ave.

Join Remy Bumppo for a special evening with Incoming Artistic Director Timothy Douglas. Remy Bumppo artists will share the exciting slate of plays for 2011/2012 followed by plenty of time for questions and conversation with Timothy.

6:30 p.m. Mix and mingle with Timothy and other Bumppos over food and drinks.
7:15 p.m. Program and conversation in the theater

This event is FREE and space is limited!

RSVP by emailing
rsvp@remybumppo.org or calling 773-244-8119

Panel Discussion at The Artistic Home

No Time For Tom-Foolery: What Price Do Artists of Color Pay for Artistic Integrity?
A Panel Discussion

February 26, 2011, 6 - 7:30 p.m.
The Artistic Home Theatre
3914 N. Clark St. Chicago, IL 60613

Free to the public, Seating is limited. To reserve seats, call 773-404-1100

“Would you send your son off to die?” That’s the question veteran Broadway actress Wiletta Mayer, the lead character in Alice Childress’s Obie award-winning play Trouble In Mind, poses as she wrestles with playing another “traditional” black woman onstage. Her answer to that question sends the play, and her career, into upheaval as she realizes that to be an actress, she needs to live her truth, onstage and off.

This evening, we will be exploring the idea of artistic integrity as it deals with how we, as a theatre community, represent race onstage. How does one -- an actor, a playwright, a director, a theatre company – maintain one’s own sense of artistic trueness when faced with situations we don’t personally agree? How does one create and maintain a career when the majority of artistic opportunities may be colored by stereotypes and bias? Is it ever OK to go along to get along?

Panelists for this discussion are:
Lee Bey
, executive director of the Chicago Central Area Committee, an influential civic group composed of the business and cultural leaders devoted to improving the architecture, transportation, cultural life and urban design of downtown Chicago. Mr. Bey is also the force behind Lee Bey’s Soul Closest, a look back at 20th Century African American Pop Culture.

Lavina Jadhwani, Artistic Director of Rasaka Theatre Company, an Associate Artist at Silk Road Theatre Project and Premiere Theatre & Performance and an Artistic Associate at Halcyon Theatre. Ms. Jadhwani also serves on the Steering Committee for the South Asian Theatre Arts Movement. Her work with Rasaka includes directing and curating the Chicago premiere of Yoni Ki Baat and the world premiere of culture/clash, the nation’s first fully produced South Asian short play festival. Other directing credits include work at American Theatre Company, Apple Tree, Bailiwick, Chicago Dramatists, Raven Theatre, Remy Bumppo, the side project, Stage Left and Victory Gardens. Lavina received LMDA awards for her work on Merchant on Venice at Silk Road and Urinetown and Arcadia at Carnegie Mellon University. She has been a finalist for the Michael Maggio Directing Fellowship, the 3Arts Artist Awards and the Luce Scholars Program. She is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University (BFA, Drama; Masters, Arts Management) and the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy. www.lavinajadhwani.com

Vaun Monroe, director of Trouble In Mind. Mr. Monroe currently an Assistant Professor in the Film and Video Department at Columbia College Chicago where he teaches Directing, Screenwriting and Film Studies. Mr. Monroe was Artistic Director at Chicago Scriptworks and is now President of National Association of Black Screenwriters. He has taught Screenwriting and Directing workshops throughout the country, most recently at the Bronzeville Film Festival and the National Black Theater Festival.

Kathy Scambiatterra, artistic director of The Artistic Home Theatre and head of The Artistic Home Training Studio. Ms. Scambiatterra has acted in and directed numerous Artistic Home productions. Other regional credits include Steppenwolf Theater, Goodman Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Center Theater, Wisdom Bridge Theatre, Pegasus Players, Pacific Resident Theatre Ensemble, Bailiwick Repertory, Aspect and Halcyon. She has received three leading role Jeff nominations for her work in Natural Affection, Abundance, and The School of Wives as well as was honored by the Italo American National Union with the David Award.

Madrid St. Angelo, co-founder and current Artistic Director of UrbanTheater Company (Chicago). Mr. St. Angelo is a Native New Yorker and graduate of The Neighborhood Playhouse; New School of Acting, where he trained under William Alderson and Sandy Meisner. As an Award Nominated and winning actor and theatrical director, he has worked with Steppenwolf, The Goodman, Silk Road Theatre Project, Greasy Joan & Co., Vitalist Theatre, Premiere Theatre and Performance, Bailiwick and 16th St.Theatre. Currently he has directed UTC's, production of Jose Rivera's, 'Sonnets for an Old Century' currently in rep at Steppenwolf's Garage Theatre.

Ytasha L. Womack, a filmmaker, journalist and author of "Post Black: How A New Generation is Redefining African American Identity" (Lawrence Hill Books). Ms. Womack explores identity in the blog www.postblackthebook.blogspot.com.

The panel discussion will be immediately followed by the 8 p.m. performance of Trouble In Mind. Tickets can be purchased for the show at http://www.theartistichome.org/ or by calling 1-888-811-4111. All tickets are $28.

Industry Ticket Offer

In Darfur - TimeLine Theatre, 615 W. Wellington Ave. is offering half-price industry tickets ($19) for the Saturday, February 26 4 p.m. performance. Phone-only. For tickets call 773.281.8463 x6 and mention code “Industry.” For more information visit http://www.timelinetheatre.com/.

The People’s Four Seasons – Quest Theatre, 1609 W. Gregory, is holding a limited number of industry seats for this weekend February 25-27. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. This is a free performance and your headshot, resume or business card gets you 1 free item at concessions. You must make reservations or be placed on the waiting list. To make reservations email reservations@questensemble.org or call 312.458.0895x1.Visit www.questensemble.org for more information.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Industry Ticket Offer

Arms and the Man - Saint Sebastian Players, 1625 W. Diversey in Chicago, is offering a limited number of $10 industry tickets on February 25th and 26th at 8 p.m. and February 27th at 2 p.m. with resume/business card. Call 773-404-7922 for reservations. Visit http://www.saintsebastianplayers.org for more information.

Monday, February 21, 2011

City Lit Seeks Submissions for Art of Adaptation Festival

City Lit Theater Company seeks submissions to The Art of Adaptation, its festival of stage adaptations of non-dramatic literature.

The festival will take place July 8th – 10th, 2011, at City Lit Theater, 1020 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue. We anticipate it will consist of 6 to 10 adaptations presented in various combinations over the course of the weekend. A panel of Jeff Award winning judges will view all performances and award a $500 cash prize to the adaptor of the piece judged the best of the festival.

THE RULES:
1. Each piece must conform to a maximum of 25 minutes… Pieces anywhere between 5 – 20 minutes are ideal.
2. It must be an adaptation of non-dramatic material—a short story, an essay, a memoir, poetry, an excerpt from a novel, what have you; but not material from a play.
3. Each adaptor is responsible for whatever royalties might be due on your piece, as well as for your own rehearsal process. City Lit will not provide rehearsal space prior to tech rehearsal, nor will it provide services of a director or any actors for any piece.
4. All pieces will be performed on the same simple unit set with the same simple light plot (including one special per piece). A stock of furniture will be provided. If your piece requires furniture beyond the provided stock, it is your responsibility.
5. City Lit will provide performance space, backstage and front-of-house crew, publicity, programs, tickets and the $500 cash prize.

To submit a proposal for entry into the festival, send a one-page description of the project you are proposing, and your adaptation script to Katy Nielsen at City Lit Theatre, 1020 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Chicago IL 60660.

Proposals must be postmarked no later than April 15th.

Friday, February 18, 2011

Free Webinar: New Ticketing Provisions in 2010 ADA Standards

The Great Lakes and Mid-Atlantic ADA Centers on behalf of the ADA National Network are pleased to announce a special session on the new ticketing provisions of the ADA in collaboration with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, International Ticketing Association and Knowbility to be held on Friday, February 25, 2011 from 1-3 p.m. Central Time.

This session will be offered as a free webinar featuring Betty Siegel, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Sharron Rush, Knowbility and representatives from the Civil Rights Division, US Department of Justice.

The 2010 ADA Regulations and Online Ticketing
On March 15, 2011 the U.S. Department of Justice's 2010 Revised Regulations on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) become enforceable. These regulations notably include provisions regarding the sale of accessible tickets, including providing people with disabilities with the opportunity to purchase tickets using the same methods available to patrons without disabilities. While you may have policies in place and staff trained to sell tickets over the phone and in person at the Box Office, are you ready to sell accessible seats on the Internet?

Selling accessible tickets online impacts everything from your ticketing policies to your website. This FREE webinar will review the ticketing regulations with a particular emphasis on online sales, including a look at the process and accessibility features that should be built-in from the start. There will be plenty of time for Q&A so come prepared with your questions!

Date: February 25, 2011
Time: 1-3pm Central
Cost: Free

This session will be delivered via the ElluminateLive! accessible online conferencing system. All audio and visual components of the presentation will be delivered via the on-line system. The program will be closed captioned. A recording of the session will be archived for later referenced. Individuals who wish to follow the audio portion of the session via telephone may do so via a non-toll free telephone number. Individuals will be responsible for their own telephone charges based on their service provider.

Registration is available now at www.adaconferences.org/Ticketing.

Industry Ticket Offer

The Man Who Came To Dinner - Circle Theatre, 1010 W. Madison St. Oak Park, IL is offering $5 tickets on Tuesday, Feb 22 at 8pm using the code "actor." $10 industry tickets are available on Fridays Feb 25, March 4, 11 and 18 at 8 p.m using the code word: "industry" Advance reservations are not required. Please present a headshot, resume or business card at the box office when attending. For info/reservations, call 708-660-9540.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Industry Ticket Offer

The Women of Lockerbie by Deborah Brevoort – Dominican University Performing Arts Center at 7900 W. Division St. River Forest, is offering $5 industry tickets for any performance February 24-27. Please bring a union card, a headshot/resume, tech resume, or business card indicating employment in the theater business. Tickets may be purchased by calling 708-488-5000.

It's Time!

I hope to see many of you at tonight’s debate. It is going to be a wonderful evening. If you can’t be there you can watch it live at 7:00 PM on ABC7. I also hope you will all go out and vote and that you have let the candidates know that the arts are important to you and your constituents.

If you haven’t already, please go to ArtsPowerChicago.com and sign the petition. If you need help deciding on who to vote for, the Trib has some great info here http://elections.chicagotribune.com/.

Happy voting!

Deb

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Invitation to Participate in Mock Interview Day

Invitation to participate in Mock Interview Day at Moraine Valley Community College – Help students take it to the next level!

The Job Resource Center at Moraine Valley Community College is hosting their Spring Mock Interview Day on Wednesday, February 23, 2011. On behalf of the Job Resource Center, they would like to invite you to participate in this very special event. Mock Interview Day provides a great venue for participants to polish their interviewing skills, gain tips on questions to ask in an interview, receive immediate feedback, and enhance their interviewing techniques.

Mock Interview Day will be held on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 from 2:00pm to 5:00 p.m. As a participating employer, you would be interviewing the participants as if it were a real-life interview. Each mock interview will be 30 minutes in length. The first 20-minutes will be devoted to interviewing the Mock Interview candidates. Following the interview, you may spend 10 minutes providing valuable feedback to the participant. We will provide a list of questions for you to choose from or you may feel free to bring your own. This event will be excellent training for interviewees as they prepare for a full-time, part-time, or internship positions. Moreover, the event will be an opportunity to prepare for the upcoming Spring Job and Internship Fair on Thursday, March 24, 2011 (www.morainevalley.edu/jrc/fair.htm).

If our Mock Interview Day is an event that you would like to participate in, please contact 708-974-5313 or farooquit@morainevalley.edu to RSVP.



Tuesday, February 15, 2011

New Leaf Theatre Call for Scripts

Submissions Open Now for the Next Treehouse Readings Series

Submissions for the 2011 - 2012 Treehouse Readings Series will be accepted now through March 20, 2011.

The thematic element for the next round of new works is “Critical Mass.”

The Treehouse Readings series features six staged readings each year: three plays selected for the summer/fall and three plays selected for the winter/spring. For each submission period, all the new work submitted addresses a central thematic element.

All submitted plays must have received at least one previous public reading, but not yet have received a full production with any theatre. Playwrights are asked to include a cover letter that answers the following three questions: How does your play address "Critical Mass”; name three artists who inspire you and why; and share a moment in your life when everything changed.

At the end of the Treehouse Readings Series, the company will select one of the scripts to receive a full production as part of New Leaf Theatre’s following season.

For further information, submission guidelines and to submit, visit www.newleaftheatre.org/treehouse.

Industry Ticket Offers

Madagascar by J.T. Rogers - Next Theatre Company, 927 Noyes St., Evanston is offering $10 industry tickets on Thursday, February 17th at 7:30 p.m. and Friday, February 25th @ 8:00 p.m. For tickets call 847-475-1875 ext 10.

Peribanez by Lope de Vega - Theatre and Interpretation Center at Northwestern University, 20 Arts Circle Dr., is offering 50% OFF TICKETS to the romantic tale of desire, honor, obsession and revenge through February 20, Thu-Sat 8 p.m., Sun 2 p.m.. Tickets: (847) 491-7282 or www.tic.northwestern.edu. Mention code LEAGUE.

Monday, February 14, 2011

Registration Opens for International Symposium on Chicago Theatre May 18-22


How has Chicago theatre developed from a grassroots movement to a global phenomenon over the past 50 years? What is the current state of "the beating heart of American theatre," as British critic Michael Billington recently described Chicago? And what is the future of theatre in Chicago – in America and around the world – in a time of rapidly escalating technological innovation and globalization?

These are the questions that will be addressed during Chicago – Theatre Capital of America: Past. Present. Future, an international symposium presented by the Theatre Department of Columbia College Chicago on May 18-22. A principal focus of the symposium will be Chicago theatre since 1959, the year that director Paul Sills and others founded The Second City, Chicago's internationally acclaimed improvisational theatre which trained a legion of entertainment legends.

Online registration for the symposium is live at www.colum.edu/theatresymposium. Cost is $95 for the four-day event, with a discounted price of $60 for students. Registration and events are open to the public.

Featured speakers include Martha Lavey, artistic director of Steppenwolf Theatre Company; Harvey Young, director of Northwestern University's interdisciplinary doctoral program in theatre and author of Embodying Black Experience: Stillness, Critical Memory, and the Black Body; Todd London, coauthor of Outrageous Fortune: The Life and Times of the New American Play; and veteran Chicago arts critic Richard Christiansen, author of A Theater of Our Own: A History and Memoir of 1,001 Nights in Chicago.

International perspectives on Chicago theatre will be provided by scholars and guest artists from overseas including Phillip Zarrilli, actor, director and prize-winning author of Psychophysical Acting: An Intercultural Approach After Stanislavski. Zarrilli, with his company The Llanarth Group from Wales, will stage the American premiere of his latest work, Told By The Wind, at the Dance Center of Columbia College during the symposium.

More than 70 presentations by theatre scholars and practitioners from the United States and Europe will highlight the event. These presentations will be complemented by a variety of performances, workshops, and social events that will offer a unique opportunity for theatre academics, professionals and enthusiasts to meet and share ideas.

Specific themes to be addressed during sessions include:

· The influence of Chicago theatre artists and teachers on theatre, film, and TV in America and around the world -- from Broadway and Hollywood to regional theatre to universities here and abroad
· The work of Chicago playwrights (including Pulitzer Prize winners David Mamet and Tracy Letts) and directors (including Tony Award winners Robert Falls, Mary Zimmerman, and Frank Galati and Obie Award winner David Cromer)
· The rich history of African-American, Latino, Asian-American, and Arab-American theatre in Chicago
· The social, cultural, and political factors that have given Chicago theatre its distinctive qualities
· Ancestors and antecedents of contemporary Chicago theatre (including the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition, the 1933 Century of Progress Chicago World's Fair, the historic Loop theatre district, the pioneering improv troupes and comedy artists of the Eisenhower era, and the civil rights and antiwar movements of the 1960s
· The influence of theatre criticism, dramaturgy, and even clergy in the evolution of Chicago theatre
· Arts leadership training, audience development, and funding strategies for the coming century.

The scholars selected to deliver papers and sit on panels at the event reflect an array of institutions from the United States and around the world. Among them, in addition to Columbia College Chicago, are Harvard University, Boston College, Emerson College, Northwestern University, DePaul University, Loyola University, the University of Illinois, the University of Wisconsin, the Rose Bruford College of Theatre and Performance in London, and the University of Macedonia for Economic and Social Sciences. Also participating are theatre professionals from Chicago companies such as Steppenwolf, Victory Gardens, Chicago Dramatists, Writers' Theatre and The Second City, as well as noted alumni of the Chicago theater explosion of the past four decades who have gone on to careers on stage and screen.

Joining Columbia College Chicago in this endeavor are a number of institutional partners including the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, the Chicago Public Library, the League of Chicago Theatres, the Dramatists Guild of America, Actors' Equity Association (Central Region) and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

For more information, visit http://www.colum.edu/theatresymposium.

Piccolo Theatre Accepting Script Submissions

Piccolo Theatre announces a call for 10 minute plays to be produced in a short works festival at the Evanston Arts Depot in August. Through this process they are looking to meet and produce new playwrights whose work correlates with that of their own aesthetic style: physical comedy, eloquence and humor. Piccolo's next season is composed of specifically comedic classics, and would like to select shorts that have some sort of classic theme; that relate to or play upon any classic story. For more information about Piccolo's style, please visit www.piccolotheatre.com. The play selection process will continue throughout the spring but please submit your 10 minute plays no later than March 1 to Sarah Grant at scripts@piccolotheatre.com.

Industry Ticket Offer

Precious Little - Rivendell Theatre Ensemble at the DCA Storefront Theater, 66 E. Randolph, is offering $10 industry tickets to the following performances: March 1, 2, 4, 5, 10, 11 at 7:30 p.m. and March 5 at 3 p.m.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Chicago Fringe announces 2011 Lottery Results Party

Chicago Fringe will be announcing the lineup for its 2011 festival on February 27, 2011. Fringe’s lottery—where shows are selected to perform at the arts festival randomly from a pool of applicants—will officially kick off the pre-festival events for the city’s second annual Fringe Festival.

Applications from all over the world will continue to be accepted through February 15th. At the lottery, 50 shows will be chosen at random to perform in this year’s festival, September 1-11 in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago. The Fringe Lottery is open to the public and admission is free. The lottery will take place on February 27th at TEMPLE Gallery (1749 S. Halsted St.). Doors open at 3:30 p.m. and the lottery will begin at 4:00 p.m.

A full list of this year’s lottery winners and the festival’s waiting list will be available following the February 27th lottery event at http://www.chicagofringe.org/.

Chicago Fringe announced it is expanding the number of shows from 45 to 50 for the 2011 festival. The addition of 5 more shows in its sophomore year, in addition to the adding of a second weekend, speaks to the success of Chicago Fringe’s first festival in 2010.

Of the 50 shows that will perform at 2011 Fringe, four were drawn from a special Midwest Fringe tour circuit lottery in January. These four pieces, including local dance group The Space/Movement Project, will tour to the Kansas City, Minnesota, and Indianapolis Fringe Festivals, ending the tour in Chicago. In addition, 25% of the slots in the festival are reserved for a sub-lottery to ensure artists of color, youth, disabled and senior theater applicants are well represented.

The Chicago Fringe Festival invites emerging and established performing artists from Chicago, the U.S. and beyond to showcase their work and add to the dialogue of theatrical art. The Festival also seeks to enhance the perception of Chicago as a major hub for theatre. Chicago Fringe encourages performers to take bold risks by providing an avenue for affordable productions. It also seeks to bring in non-traditional theater-goers through a commitment to low ticket prices and outreach into communities not commonly represented. In this fashion, The Chicago Fringe Festival provides an avenue for diverse artists and audience members to connect in a singular and immediate way.

Chicago Fringe is celebrating its second annual festival in 2011. To find out more about the Chicago Fringe Festival, visit http://www.chicagofringe.org/.

TCG Town Hall Meeting

Bonnie Metzgar and Ruth Margraff invite you to a casual TCG Town Hall Conversation:

Wednesday, February 16th at 7:00 p.m.
Chicago Dramatists, 1105 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, Il 60622

They would love to have you in the room and to hear your thoughts and to dream up lots of grand ideas for the future of theater...

Please RSVP to info@ruthmargraff.com to attend.

Visitation/Funeral Information on Dr. Bella Itkin-Konrath

The Theatre School at DePaul University is sad to announce the passing of Dr. Bella Itkin-Konrath, who died at St. Joseph's Hospital in Chicago, Wednesday, February 9, 2011, at age 90. Dr. Itkin was Professor Emeritus at The Theatre School at DePaul University, formerly the Goodman School of Drama, where she taught for 47 years, and directed over 200 productions.

Visitation for Bella will be, Friday, 2/11/11, 3-8PM at:
Rago Brothers Funeral Home
624 N. Western Avenue (corner of Erie St. and Western)
Chicago, IL 60612

The funeral mass will be Saturday, 2/12/11, at 10AM (gathering at 9:30AM) at:
St. Vincent de Paul Church
1010 W. Webster (corner of Webster & Sheffield)
Chicago, IL 60614

The Reverend Dennis H. Holtschneider, C.M., President of DePaul University, will preside at the mass, Monsignor Kenneth Velo, Office of Catholic Collaboration, DePaul University, will deliver the Homily.

This will be followed by the internment and a luncheon

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Bella Itkin Scholarship Fund at The Theatre School at DePaul University, 2135 N. Kenmore, Chicago, IL 60614.

The Theatre School will be holding a Memorial Service for Bella later this year.

An Unexpected Outcome

I had the pleasure of attending an aldermanic forum in my ward (46th) on Tuesday night. There are 11 candidates in my ward. That was not really fun, listening to them all, but I went with a friend who also lives in the 46th and it just felt so American and neighborly and kind of great. It was at a bar and there was food and drinks and everyone talking to each other. I didn’t hate any of the candidates, but one far and away impressed me more than the others. This candidate was so great, I wish I could say who it was, but I can’t here, not allowed to endorse a candidate. I went into that meeting having looked at the websites of the candidates and knowing a tiny bit about a few of them. I came out completely jazzed about the possibility of this person being my alderman. A totally unexpected outcome.

I had never been to one of these before, and I strongly encourage all of you to go to one if you can. It was fun, and guess what? It was theatre! I think we all get a little jaded listening to candidates give stump speeches and never vary from a script. These were real people with real passion and real thoughts about real issues sitting in a circle on folding chairs at a local bar with a mic that only worked sometimes. I know it’s hard to get info on Aldermanic candidates but I truly think if you go to one of these you will come out with a much better idea of who you want representing you – it was only a little more than an hour for 11 candidates and you’d spend that much time googling them anyway.

Deb

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Informational Session on DeVos Institute of Arts Management Fellowship Program

You are invited to an Informational Session on the DeVos Institute of Arts Management Fellowship Program

Tuesday, February 15
5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 East Randolph

Please RSVP to Roger Weitz at RWeitz@ChicagoOperaTheater.org by February 13.

The DeVos Institute of Arts Management Fellowship Program began in 2001, and provides comprehensive study to ten arts managers at the Kennedy Center with coursework in strategic planning, marketing, development and financial management; three practical work rotations in Kennedy Center departments; and a series of professional development seminars with senior staff. These paid fellowships are full-time and last nine months from September through May.

**Fellowship Applications must be postmarked by April 1, 2011**

More information available: http://www.kennedy-center.org/education/artsmanagement/fellowships.cfm

Hobo Junction Productions Is Now Accepting Script Submissions

HOBO JUNCTION PRODUCTIONS IS NOW ACCEPTING SCRIPT SUBMISSIONS FOR THEIR HOBO-ROBO NEW COMEDIC WORKS FESTIVAL: HOBOS IN SPACE!

WHAT: Hobo Junction, the company who brought you Bad Guys in Suits and The Regulars: the Epic War Rock Musical about Waiters, is currently accepting script submissions from playwrights for their 3RD ANNUAL HOBO-ROBO NEW COMEDIC WORKS FESTIVAL: HOBOS IN SPACE! All script submissions are due by Monday MARCH 7th!

They are looking for 10-minute comedic works. They must be original, creative, fresh and above all, ridiculous. Hobo Junction celebrate snew comedy so all submissions must be works that make you laugh. HELP SUPPORT NEW COMEDY! SUBMIT!

All information and questions should be sent to: HoboJunction@sbcglobal.net
(Please put “PLAYWRIGHT” in the Subject)

Pieces should be 7-10 page original COMEDIC works WITH A SCIENCE FICTION THEME. Any play over 15 pages will not be considered! All submissions are due by March 7. A committee will review all submissions and narrow it down to 9 to 10 plays and on March 11, the selected plays will be given to 8 directors to decide the 8 works to be performed in the festival.

PLAYS MUST BE 7-10 PAGES, ORIGINAL COMEDIC WORKS WITH A SCI-FI THEME!

ABOUT HOBO JUNCTION: Hobo Junction has been called "A solid hour of laughs" by Chicagoist.com, "Genius" by the Chicago Reader and "Wacky" by FOX News Chicago. Hobo Junction, the dark pirates of the Chicago scene, was founded by Josh Zagoren and a robot named ZBOT in 2004 and has since gone on to become a darling of theater goers and comedians all over the city. Hobo Junction has grown into a company made up of talented artists with experience in all aspects of theatre, and with their solid blend of silly and smart, they have produced a celebrated six original shows in their time here, two of them with three extensions, and they don't want to slow down any time soon.

INFO: http://www.HoboJunctionProductions.com

Industry Ticket Offer

Church/Pullman, WA - Red Tape Theatre, 621 W. Belmont is hosting an industry only performance on Monday, February 14 at 8 p.m. $10 Tickets are available at the door and online at www.redtapetheatre.org, code: mermaid. Join the cast and crew at Wilde following the performance.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

With Rigor and Joy

I'm taking a break from blogging about the upcoming elections, because I've got something on my mind. Uh-oh, she's got something on her mind...Ever since I've had this job (a little more than 2 years now), I've listened to people say what's wrong with the way theatres work and frankly, I don't want to hear it anymore. I'm not saying we should stick our heads in the sand and not pay attention to the world around us, particularly when it comes to elections, people! And I'm not saying there's not some really smart people doing the talking, but jeez louise, this latest thing from Rocco really has my knickers in a twist for so many reasons. First off, I have worked in this industry for a long time, at seven different theatre companies ranging from very small to very large and I can say unequivocally that NOT ONE of them was overstaffed. Please. And I can only speak for myself but I have never been overpaid. Second, fewer arts organizations mean fewer opportunities for artists and audiences. Period. In the past two weeks I have sat in the audience for seven plays, with thousands of other people, yup, thousands and I have seen some extraordinary work and in each of those audiences at least a few (but usually all) of the audience members were moved to stand and show their appreciation. I and my fellow audience members were moved and inspired and educated and awed and entertained. Just like we have been for the last 5000 years! I kind of think theatre is here to stay as an art form. So, the idea that we MUST change or we will go away just doesn't fly.

I'm not kidding myself that everything is peachy and I'm not saying that we should look away from new ideas, especially good ones, or that we should look away from what the numbers are telling us, or that we should look away from what our audiences (or lack thereof) are telling us. So, what are we going to do you say, what about these problems we have - our declining audience and our structural deficits and our artists not getting paid enough. Well, I once had an artistic director who said, during a time of great turbulence, that we must "approach the work with rigor and joy," beautifully put. We must work rigorously toward bringing in new audiences, we must work rigorously toward balancing our budgets, we must work rigorously toward educating decision makers and funders about the importance of our work and we must approach every part of this work with the joy we have in the creation of it. That’s not an answer, and I don’t have one, but neither does anyone else, we can only keep doing the work and keep adapting this ancient art form to the modern world and doing it with joy, don’t forget the joy.

Deb

Industry Ticket Offers

Church/Pullman, WA - Red Tape Theatre, 621 W. Belmont, is offering $10 industry tickets to all performances through March 5, 2011. Purchase online with code YJL010 and click "Show More Prices." Visit our website for performance schedule, purchasing and additional show info http://www.redtapetheatre.org/.

Radio Golf - Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark St. is offering $10 industry tickets to Thursday performances beginning February 22 through April 9, 2011. Proof of industry required.

Playwriting Competition - 2011 Met Life Nuestras Voces

GUIDELINES FOR THE 2011 MET LIFE NUESTRAS VOCES NATIONAL PLAYWRITING COMPETITION

MISSION:
In 2000 MetLife Foundation and Repertorio Español joined forces to establish The MetLife Nuestras Voces National Playwriting Competition in the hopes of discovering new American plays by established and emerging playwrights writing about the many themes and topics relevant to the Latino communities across the United States—plays that may be under the radar in other venues. It has been our privilege to promote and develop new plays, encourage bright new talent to continue writing plays by providing this forum.

REQUIREMENTS:
*Please read carefully. Plays that do not meet the requirements will not be read.
-Playwrights may be Latino or of any other ethnic or racial background as long as the play’s subject matter and characters resonate with Latino audiences and accurately depict the Hispanic experience.
-No screenplays, one act plays, musicals, adaptations or translations will be accepted.
-New and un-produced plays preferred. Plays that have had readings or a workshop production are acceptable.
-All plays must be original and full-length (minimum running time: 1 hr., 30 min) and can be written in Spanish and/or English.
-Playwrights must be at least 18 years of age and residents of the United States or Puerto Rico.
-Previously submitted scripts are accepted unless they have already placed in the top 10.

SELECTION PROCESS:
-Each script will be read by two independent judges selected by Repertorio Español, on a blind submission.
-Winners will be announced six to seven months after the deadline.
-Each participant will be notified of the results by e - mail. We request that participants do not contact the office to inquire about the competition’s results.

PRIZES:
Round 1:
Finalists will receive a staged reading at Repertorio to further develop the script.

Round 2:
-Grand Prize Winner: $3,000 and a full production at Repertorio Español
-2nd Place: $2,000
-3rd Place: $1,000
-Two runners-up will receive $500 each

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:
All applicants must complete the online application form.
Deadline: June 1, 2011 (timestamped)
In addition, applicants must submitt:
-One ELECTRONIC COPY of your script (PDF, Microsoft Word, Plain or Rich Text Formats Accepted) to nuestrasvoces@repertorio.org immediately after completing the online application.
-The ELECTRONIC COPY of the script must have numbered pages and a title page that lists the title and year the play was written ONLY.
-Please OMIT your name from the script
-DO NOT send other biographical information or reviews

Click here for the online application form

WINNING SCRIPT:
By submitting your play to the competition, Repertorio Español shall have a right to produce the play for a period of two years. Such production shall be done in accordance with an agreement mutually acceptable to the playwright and Repertorio Español. If the playwright receives an offer within the two year period from a third party to produce the play, the company has the right to decide to produce the play on terms no less favorable than offered.

Please direct any questions regarding this competition/application to nuestrasvoces@repertorio.org.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Grant Opportunity - The National Theater Pilot

The National Theater Pilot explores creating a system of support for professional artist-led collaborative theater. Modeled after NEFA’s National Dance Project, and with leadership funding from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the pilot is selecting two rounds of six projects each to test assumptions about supporting ensemble theater development and touring in the U.S. Click here for more detail on the background.

The goal of the pilot is to encourage artists and their collaborators to create high-quality works of contemporary theater and provide for extended life of these works through touring to multi-disciplinary presenters, producing theaters, and other venues.

The National Theater Pilot:
Supports the creation and development of original, high-quality, devised, collaborative, and/or ensemble theater works with intention to tour.
Brings visibility to touring this type of contemporary theater work and the elements required for successful touring.
Creates a national network of presenters, producing theaters, and ensemble theaters with venues that will increase the potential for touring.
Establishes a strong core of advisors who are seeing, talking about, and referring others to theater works of interest.
Collects data and narrative information to inform future grantmaking.
The Pilot Advisors will select six theater projects in each of two pilot years. Participation in the pilot will include support for the development and touring of the work over an 18-36 month period. Award size will depend upon the needs of each project and will range from $80,000-$130,000, including support for development, evaluation, and touring.

Eligibility
National Theater Pilot will consider projects submitted by U.S.-based nonprofit organizations as well as individual artists who have identified collaborators.

Applicant organizations must have nonprofit status. Organizations without nonprofit status and individual artists may also apply but must provide a nonprofit organizational partner to serve as fiscal agent.

The project must be a devised, collaborative, and/or ensemble theater work with intention to tour.

All projects must have at least one committed, U.S.-based organizational partner who will participate in the development of the work.
In addition, identification of at least one interested U.S.-based touring partner is strongly recommended

Grant Deadline: March 31, 2011

Click here for more information on the program.

Grant Opportunity - Chicago Community Trust

ARTISTIC AND CULTURAL DIVERSITY
Deadline for Letter of Inquiry is March 15,2011

A new Artistic and Cultural Diversity Initiative invites arts organizations and/or presenting venues of all sizes to apply individually or as a collaboration. Collaborators are encouraged to work together to submit complementary proposals requesting separate grants to support the clearly defined role of each partner. All projects should aim to achieve the following goals:

• Showcase the talents of diverse and culturally specific artists;
• Perform/exhibit/conduct programs in arts venues that are located in areas of Cook County that are culturally underserved;
• Perform/exhibit/conduct programs in public venues (such as libraries, parks, community colleges) that are located in areas of Cook County that are culturally underserved;
• Plan and implement projects with meaningful involvement by leaders/collaborators from the target community or audience;
• Ensure affordability and accessibility for the target community or audience;
• Include an effective means of tracking market penetration and participant response;
• Include well-defined strategies for building on or sustaining the collaboration, cross-promotion, or presence within the target market or community;
• Increase the Trust’s visibility within the target community.

Grants will be made through a competitive process that will select projects/productions by different organizations each year. It is not designed to support the same organization for multiple consecutive years.

One of the most significant outcomes of the Arts Engagement Exchange, a 4-year collaboration with the Wallace foundation, has been the realization that broadening and diversifying audiences depends less on ceaseless and creative marketing than on the relevance and authenticity of the artistic product, as well as its accessibility. Artistic collaborations have demonstrated the most measurable success in creating productions that are likely to resonate with a broader audience, and the Trust has recently funded a series of sessions on how to structure and nurture such collaborations, in partnership with the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs.

Guidelines can be found online.

Two informational sessions are planned to outline the goals of this grantmaking program and to answer specific questions:

Monday, Feb 14th – 2:00pm – 4:00pm
eta Creative Arts Center
7558 S. South Chicago Avenue

Wednesday, Feb. 16th – 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Better Boys Foundation
1512 S. Pulaski

If you plan to attend either session, please RSVP to arts@cct.org.