Free Materials from EcoSet Consulting

EcoSet Consulting will be coming back to Chicago at the end of September to find homes for their client's gorgeous activation space from an event. Lots of amazing pieces including beautiful wood display units, walls and an awesome circular bar. This is your chance to help us create a “zero waste” environment and you can receive well constructed pieces for free and save them from landfill! We will even deliver it!

 1) Here is a materials list and photos of screen shots of the concepts as well as a full view photos of past years items to give you an idea of the set up. This year instead of all wood veneer, they have added brick backsplashes and side panels.

Please indicate the items you are requesting and be specific according to the materials list provided.

Most of the pieces are 10' long and 10' tall. They are basically 2' wide with some sections having a 3.5' W x 10' H end cap.

2) Tell us how you plan on using the items. We do a recap for the client and like to showcase where these materials went and how they benefitted the local community. It gives a real tangible element to the donation and demonstrates why these items are not “trash”.

3) Also indicate how much labor you will have to unload. We have a lot of stops and need to do this quickly so you must assist us to expedite the delivery.

Please feel free to pass this on to anyone in your network that you think might be interested. We are based in Los Angeles so I am trying to build my reuse network in Chicago.

Contact: Amy Hammes at donations@ecosetconsulting.com.

Industry Ticket Offers

The Price - TimeLine Theatre Company, 615 W. Wellington Ave. is offering $15 industry tickets to any preview performance August 18 - 26, subject to availability, when you use code INDUSTRY15. Buy online or call the TimeLine Box Office at 773.281.8463 x6.

Grand Stage and Chicago Spotlight to Combine Operations

Chicago Spotlight, Inc. and Grand Stage Lighting Co. Inc. have agreed to merge their operations effective immediately. The combined company known as Grand Stage Company will be divided into three divisions. Grand Stage will continue as the corporate identity and be responsible for all sales, systems integration, and marketing efforts. Chicago Spotlight will provide customers with full service rental and production services, and Art Drapery Studios will continue to provide quality theatrical draperies and stage rigging installations. The board of directors has appointed Gregory Becker as President and Marty Lazarus as Vice President. Grand Stage Company will offer an expanded range of products to both existing customer bases along with a new online store, unparalleled customer support and technical services.

Starting this Thursday August 13th and running through Saturday the 15th Grand Stage hosts its moving sale entitled the “Grand-est Garage Sale ever!” Starting on Monday August 17th all rental operations for both companies will move to the 1658 W Carroll Chicago, IL 60612 address and a new sales specific storefront will be opening at 1319 W. Grand Ave. Chicago, IL 60642. Beginning in early fall, their combined operations will be located in an expanded warehouse at 3418 N. Knox Ave. Chicago, IL 60641 Additionally, a new online store currently in its beta form can be found at store.grandstage.com. The consolidated company will have the largest Chicago based selection of in-stock consumable products from such brands as Altman, Apollo, City Theatrical, Chauvet, Elation, ETC, Philips Entertainment, and Rosco.

Grand Stage Lighting is a full service theatrical dealer serving clients in the Theatre, Film, Event Production, Photography and Studio environments. Founded in 1947, Grand Stage is committed to providing quality advice, products and service, along with technical experience for their customers in the creative industries. Chicago Spotlight has grown over the last 30 years from a firm specializing in follow spot service and rental into a turn-key systems integrator of the latest in stage lighting and rigging equipment. Known for its 24-hour emergency pager, Chicago Spotlight remains focused on customer satisfaction. If you would like more information please contact Greg Becker at grbecker@grandstage.com or (312) 332-5611.

NET Funding Opportunity

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY! Network of Ensemble Theaters has just announced the deadlines for the 2015-16 cycle of NET/TEN Travel and Exchange Grants. The program is open to individuals, ensembles, students, and affiliate members of NET and supports relationship building and knowledge sharing. There is still plenty of time to join and apply before the September 9th deadline. More information at: http://www.ensembletheaters.net/grants or by emailing netten@ensembletheaters.net.

Chicago Fringe Festival Town Halls

Do you have opinions on what the Fringe Festival in Chicago is and could be? How it can enhance what is already happening city throughout the year? Its impact on the Chicago Arts Community and its neighborhood? Then we want to talk with you!

Whether you have attended all five Chicago Fringe Festivals or none at all, we invite you to join us for a town hall discussion led by Brian Loevner (Chicago Commercial Collective)!

Together we can help define Chicago Fringe Festival goals for the next five years!

Saturday, September 12 at The Masonic Temple (5418 W Gale St) in Jefferson Park, 11 AM
Monday, September 21 at Simone's (960 W 18th St.) in Pilsen, 7:30 PM

Space Availability at the side project

The Side Project (1439 W Jarvis Ave), a 43-seat black box, has a 4-week performance slot available from September 24 through October 18 (load-in eve of Sept 20). Also available: 4-week slot from January 28 through February 21. Contact Adam at "adam@thesideproject.net" for more information.

Access Night 2015 at Victory Gardens Theater

As we start to celebrate the ADA’s 25th anniversary, a lot of us have been wondering how we can make Chicago theatre more accessible. At Victory Gardens, we believe a lot of this work starts with keeping our front of house staff informed. That's why Victory Gardens' Access Project and The League of Chicago Theaters are teaming up to invite you to ACCESS NIGHT 2015!

We’re inviting you and your front of house staff to one fun night of shmoozing with other box office staffs from across the city and learning about disability services in the arts. Whether your annual budget is $10,000 or $10,000,000, if you have a space or are itinerant, there's a lot you can do to improve access to blind, deaf, and physically disabled patrons. At Access Night we'll discuss ASL interpretation, audio description, captioning, touch tours, and physical access with hands-on workshops and demonstrations. Also included is a panel of disabled patrons to share their experiences and answer any questions you have. And it’s FREE! And yes, of course, there will be food.

Join us in our goal of making theatre in Chicago fully accessible to all patrons.

Date: Monday, August 17th 2015
Time: 7:30pm
Place: Victory Gardens Theater
Cost: FREE!
RSVP to bbalcom@victorygardens.org

Steppenwolf First Look Late Night

A free event celebrating new work in Chicago
Wednesday, August 12
9:00pm doors, 9:30pm curtain
The Garage Theatre, 1624 N. Halsted
Hosted by Meghan Beals (Interim Artistic Director, Chicago Dramatists), this after-hours get-together will showcase in-process new work from The Gift Theatre and Jackalope Theatre, as well as excerpts from the new musical Mill Girls (book by Samantha Beach, music & lyrics by Diana Lawrence, conceived by Jess McLeod), topped off with music from Erik and Jessie (Erik Hellman and Jessie Fisher). Swing by the Garage, grab a drink, kick back, relax and celebrate with Chicago’s new work insiders. Tickets are free. To reserve, email firstlookinfo@steppenwolf.org, or call 312-654-5610.

Round out your experience with a ticket to our reading of The Fundamentals by Erika Sheffer, which wraps up just before Late Night begins. First Look Late Night: A Celebration of New Work in Chicago is a part of First Look, Steppenwolf’s annual series featuring new plays in development. For more info, visit steppenwolf.org.

Citadel Theatre Announces They're Going Equity

After 12 seasons as one of the premier professional cultural entertainment venues in Lake County, Lake Forest’s Citadel Theatre is announcing it is making the leap to ‘Equity’ status. A major financial commitment for the non-profit enterprise, ‘going equity’ will mean the ability to attract actors and staff that are members of the Chicago area Actors Equity Association.

For Citadel patrons the transition will be relatively seamless, as Citadel has always been able to attract talented actors from outside the pool of union talent, but for the theatre this could represent a gigantic step forward in terms of artistic recognition and public exposure. As an Equity theatre, Citadel will qualify for nomination to the prestigious Joseph Jefferson Awards (Chicago’s answer to the Tony Awards®). Members of the ‘Jeff’ Committee will need to visit Citadel to judge the plays and Citadel is likely to gain additional coverage from theatre critics like the Tribune’s Chris Jones or Sun-Times’ Hedy Weiss who, in 12 years, have never been up to Lake Forest to cover the theatre - but who routinely visit Equity playhouses nearby.

‘Going Equity’ comes with a rather hefty price tag for Citadel, as union scale wages and benefits are far greater than the going rate for the talented non-union actors Citadel is accustomed to hiring. For Citadel though, the move is enabled by careful long-term planning and the success of recent fundraising events which have helped Citadel achieve the financial wherewithal to make Equity commitments. Citadel’s top brass are certain the move will not only enhance the theatre’s standing but enable it to grow artistically as well.

Artistic Director and Citadel co-founder Scott Phelps said: “We have always wanted Citadel to be an Equity theatre, to pay our actors, directors, and designers something closer to what they deserve for the hard work they put in, but it has been a matter of timing it to the reality of our financial situation. We would have been Equity out-of-the box if we could have, but now that we have a larger following, greater fiscal support, and the approval of the board to make this change, we are thrilled to be officially joining the top tier of regional professional theatres.”

Rehearsal and Performance Space Available at Collaboraction Theatre Company

Collaboraction Theatre Company’s facility at 1579 N. Milwaukee Ave features three rooms available for rehearsals or performances at great low rates. Three spaces are available – The Salon, a small cabaret theater, and two black box theaters. Since moving into our space, we are proud to have welcomed dozens of small theatre companies to share our space for rehearsals, auditions, classes, planning meetings and more!

All spaces offer individually controlled heat and air and use of our tables and chairs as available. We are also located very close to drug stores, bars, restaurants, etc.

Call at 312-266-9633 or send an email to Jo Cattell (jo@collaboraction.org) to learn more!

Industry Ticket Offers

Things You Shouldn't Say Past Midnight – Windy City Playhouse – 3014 W. Irving Park Road is offering $10 industry tickets for previews on August 12th and 13th and $15 industry tickets on August 19th, 20th, and 23rd. House seats only. Purchase online at windycityplayhouse.com/things using promo code "industry."

The Diary of Anne Frank – Writers Theatre – 664 Vernon Ave, Glencoe (easily accessible by Metra or CTA & Pace) is offering $20 industry tickets to performances on Saturday, 8/8 at 4pm or 8pm. Purchase online using promo code POTATO at writerstheatre.org or call our Box Office at 847-242-6000 and mentioning the code. Please bring a headshot, resume, or business card as proof of your involvement in the industry. Tickets subject to availability.

South Pacific – Broadway classic with 30-piece orchestra. Light Opera Works at Cahn Auditorium, 600 Emerson in Evanston, is offering half-price industry tickets on August 15, 21 and 29 at 8pm, and August 16, 19 and 26 at 2pm. For tickets call 847-920-5360 or visit www.LightOperaWorks.com and use coupon code "dame." Tickets must be purchased in advance. No door sales.

Corn Productions has Rehearsal and Performance Availability

Corn Productions, or the Cornservatory, is located at 4210 N. Lincoln avenue and has availability for the entire month of November and February and March for a full production rental.

Corn is easily accessible by the Brown Line and there is ample parking in the neighborhoods. Our main-stage space seats up to 60 persons.

For a tour or more information, please contact Lindsay Bartlett, the Rentals Manager, at cornservatoryrentals@gmail.com. or visit our website at cornservatory.org.