Thursday, October 28, 2010

Annual Member Meeting

The annual member meeting is on Monday evening at Lookingglass Theatre and we really hope to see you there. The member meeting is only once a year and it's a great chance to meet the board and staff of the League and enjoy a drink with your colleagues from across the city. We'll be talking about the work of the League over the past year and plans for the year ahead. It’s also an opportunity for members to ask questions and make suggestions. We’d love for every League member to have a representative there. 7-8:30 PM at Lookingglass, 821 N. Michigan. RSVP to nancy@chicagoplays.com.

Industry Ticket Offer

The Hundred Dresses- Chicago Children’s Theatre at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd, Skokie, IL, is offering half off industry tickets ($17 for adults, $13 for children) for the following performances- Saturday, November 6th at 1pm and Sunday, November 7th at 1pm. Type promo code “HDIND” when ordering tickets online at http://www.northshorecenter.org or call 847-673-6300.

The Beautiful Struggle: Art and Commerce AEE Open Forum

Presented by Arts Engagement Exchange
Friday, November 19
9:30 a.m. Registration
10 - 11:30 a.m. Program

Do arts organizations and the professionals who run them shape or respond to popular cultural consumption? What is the responsibility of artistic and curatorial staff in the business of marketing and promotion? In our final AEE Open Forum, we will explore the artistic product and its relationship to audience engagement with the help of artists, curators, managers and artistic directors.

Mike Daisey, award-winning monologist, author and cultural critic will speak on the role we all play in the war over how the arts will be defined in our age and pose much for us to consider in his new manifesto, The Beautiful Struggle: Art and Commerce

In a field where marketing is a dirty word, how can those given the vital job of bringing work to the public ever truly succeed? In a time of corporatism and compromised values, how do we keep an ethical aesthetic compass that points toward a true north? What does it mean to find an audience today, and how can the arts thrive in an environment where so much is aligned against it? Touching on horror, comedy, theory, and practice Daisey peels back the layers to reveal the rich heart of our artistic exchange in a candid and frank talk about the crossroads where we find ourselves at the opening of the 21st century.

Daisey will be joined by four leading artists and directors in a panel conversation about how they navigate their roles to explore and push the envelope of the aesthetic and make works that resonate with the public at the same time:

Andreas Bottcher, CEO, Danceworks Chicago
Henry Godinez, artistic director of the Theatre and Interpretation Center, Northwestern University, and resident artistic associate, Goodman Theater
Adam Marks, director of artistic programming and ensemble member, Fifth House Ensemble
Theaster Gates, Jr., urban planner, sculptor, and director of arts program development and lecturer, Department of Visual Arts at The University of Chicago

Questions? Please contact Maureen Burns at maureen.burns@cityofchicago or 312.742.1761.

Location
Chicago Cultural Center
Claudia Cassidy Theater
77 East Randolph Street

Admission
FREE. Registration Required

IL Cultural Data Project Orientation Webinars

Sign up today!

New User Orientation
We recommend a New User Orientation if your organization is new to the CDP or if you need a refresher on data entry. This training session will provide an overview of the history and goals of the Illinois CDP as well as an introduction to the types of data collected. The New User Orientation will walk participants through the process of entering data, applying to participating funders and generating reports. Please feel free to attend with additional staff and board members.

Reports Orientation
The Reports Orientation will give an overview of the available reports and is most useful for organizations that have already completed a Data Profile and are ready to use the reports. Now that more than 1000+ arts and cultural organizations are participating in the Illinois Cultural Data Project, you are able to run reports comparing your organization against others throughout Illinois, as well as California, Massachusetts, Maryland , New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania!
Why use comparison reports?

Looking to cut costs? Want to prove that you need more staff? Need a quick report on fundraising for your board meeting? These reports will help you make operational decisions, build the case for support and facilitate long-term planning. To protect your organization's privacy, all the data used in the reports will be in aggregate and will never include organization names.

Get Started. Register Today.
You can participate in this WEB-BASED CDP Orientation session from your home or office computer. Once registered and one day prior to the training session, you will be sent a link to connect to this training session online. During the online session, the CDP associate will conduct the CDP New User Orientation, during which you will be able to ask questions and learn more about the CDP.

Click here for more information and to register for a session.

Produce It Workshop

GOT A GREAT IDEA FOR AND NEED AN AUDIENCE FOR YOUR EVENT?
Learn how to produce your own work.

PRODUCE IT is a quick and dirty workshop that goes through the process and challenges of finding your audience, getting them to your venue and keeping them connected long after the lights go down.

After all, producing your event isn't just about putting on a good show. It's about generating buzz and knowing how to sell your wares so that you can keep on creating the way you want to create. Making your work commercially successful doesn’t mean you have to compromise your vision; rather, you simply have to learn how to frame your vision in such a way that everyone can understand it.

2 Hour Panel Discussion and Q & A at Greenhouse Theater
•Learn from a panel of seasoned professionals across artistic disciplines about how they produce their work.
•Pick the brains of some special guest producers to figure out what has worked, what still works and what might work in the Chicago arts community.
•Create a network of fellow producers, develop co-promotion ideas, and find out how to share audiences .

Saturday, November 13th, 2010, 10-12pm,
Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave.
Admission: In Advance $10.00 At the Door $15.00
Sign up @ http://produceitnovember13.eventbrite.com/

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Performance Space Availability at City Lit

City Lit Theater has 4 weeks of prime-time performance space available at half price, Feb 28-March 27, 2011. Please email Brian at bpastor@citylit.org or call 773-293-3682 for more details.

Industry Ticket Offers

Departure Lounge - Bailiwick Chicago at the Royal George Theatre, 1641 N. Halsted, is offering $5 industry tickets for performances this weekend October 28-31 (plus $1 service fee). Available only at the box office on the day of performance. Must provide a headshot/resume. Visit http://www.bailiwickchicago.com/ for more information on the show.

26 Miles – Rivendell Theatre Ensemble in association with Teatro Vista at Chicago Dramatists, 1105 W. Chicago Ave. is offering twenty $10 industry tickets per show October 28 – 31. TYPE in the promo code “industry” when ordering your ticket online at http://www.rivendelltheatre.net/ or call 773-334-7728.

Pinkalicious - Emerald City Theatre at The Apollo Theater, 2540 N. Lincoln Ave., is offering $5 tickets on Halloween - Sunday, October 31st at 1:00pm. This offer can be redeemed through the Apollo Theatre Box Office (773-935-6100) using the code: FFO. Suited for ages 3+ and fun for everyone! Not available with any other offer. Cannot be applied to previously purchased tickets.

Tartuffe adapted and directed by Sean Graney - Theatre and Interpretation Center at Northwestern University Ethel M. Barber Theater, 30 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston. is offering $10 industry tickets through Nov 6, Thu-Sat at 8pm and Sun at 2pm, Tickets: (847) 491-7282 or http://www.tic.northwestern.edu/. Mention code: INDUSTRY.

Chicago Live! - The Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St. is offering $10 industry tickets for the Thursday, October 28 6:30 p.m. performance. Available at the Chicago Theatre box office only. Use promo term TRIBUNE.

Monday, October 25, 2010

Industry Ticket Offer

Yasuko Yokoshi - The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago, 1306 S. Michigan Ave. is offering $10 industry tickets on October 28, 29 and 30 at 8 p.m. Limit of two tickets per order. This offer is not valid with other discounts or other orders. No exchanges or refunds. Ticket orders must be placed online using promotion code “Industry.” Tickets are subject to availability. For more info please visit colum.edu/dancecenter or call the box office at 312.369.8300.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Member Resources

We’ve added a cool new section to every theatre’s unique login page on ChicagoPlays.com called Member Resources. If you login to the website using your company’s unique username and password you can check it out. The Member Resources section includes news from us, information on programs like the Community Cultural Database, SmartTix, as well as Cooperative Advertising media and rates, and an electronic copy of the Theater Rental list. The new section provides just another way for us to communicate with you and makes it easier for you to find information about the many programs and services that are available to you as a member. If you haven’t logged in to the website recently, make sure that you do so, and check back frequently as we’ll continue to update it and add new information. As always, if you have any feedback, please don’t hesitate to call or shoot us an email and let us know what you think or how we can help.

What do Illinois candidates think about the arts?

Arts Alliance Illinois recently sat down with candidates for Illinois governor and U.S. Senate to find out where they stand on the arts and arts education. You can watch the interviews at the link below:

http://www.vimeo.com/album/1458142

As Election Day is rapidly approaching, please share these short video interviews with your friends and colleagues in the arts.

Please also remember to get out and vote on Tuesday, November 2nd!

New Leaf Theatre Announces New Plays Initiative: Submissions Now Open

New Leaf’s mission is to create intimate, animate theatrical experiences that renew artist and audience. Renewal is a fascinating idea, particularly in relation to the concept of change (the major idea behind our current season question, How do we dare live into the change we’ve chosen?). Renewal, as a form of change, doesn’t necessarily transform our core ideas or values. Instead, it re-energizes and reaffirms. We find renewed dedication and focus that we then put into action.

The development and presentation of new work has been implicit in New Leaf’s history for years. However, as we enter our tenth year and with the idea of renewal in mind, New Leaf is excited to unveil our newly structured initiative for new play development.

To begin, New Leaf has chosen to focus its efforts on a very specific part of the development process. We are interested in play polishing – fine tuning work that has already received at least one initial reading, work with which we can more aggressively engage in the collaborative process. I am proud of this unique space in the development process that we look forward to inhabiting – a space that is essential to the growth of new work, but one that is all too often vague and overlooked. To this end, our refocused Treehouse Readings Series will now help fill the gap that tends to exist in how plays are developed today, that of the 2nd reading, the 3rd reading, the next workshop – the true development of the play.

Here’s how that process will work.
Each season, New Leaf will announce a call for submissions by playwrights. These plays will be considered for our revamped Treehouse Readings Series, to be presented in the following season. Along with the general submission guidelines, we will reveal a specific thematic element within each call that submitted plays are to address in some way. Chosen plays will be presented as part of Treehouse, and at the end of that season, New Leaf will then choose one of the featured plays to fully produce in our next season. Through this system, our reading series will not merely be a side program of our company. Instead, it will serve as a primary mechanism for season selection, furthering opportunities for playwrights and discovering electrifying new work to share with the world.

WINTER/SPRING 2011 TREEHOUSE
Submissions Open from October 1st through November 30th, 2010
Readings to be presented between January and April 2011

The Winter/Spring 2011 element: HOME

Submission Eligibility:

To be eligible for consideration, submitted plays must fulfill the following criteria:

The play must not yet have received a full production with any theatre
The play must have received at least one previous public reading
The play must in some way address the year’s chosen idea/element

Submission Guidelines:
Playwrights should e-mail submission materials to write@newleaftheatre.org. Materials must include:
Electronic copy of full script (pdf or Word Doc ONLY)
List of character descriptions
A cover letter, no longer than ONE PAGE, that addresses the following questions:
How does your play address the idea of “HOME”?
Tell us about three artists (of any discipline) that inspire you and how/why.
Please tell us about a day that changed your life.

AJT Conference Seeking Artistic Directors/Producers

The Association for Jewish Theatre will hold its convention in Chicago on November 12-14, 2010. Joining AJT as co-hosts are Piven Theatre Workshop, Lookingglass, and Northwestern University’s Jewish Theatre Ensemble. For three days, participants from theatres throughout the United States will explore and celebrate Jewish theatre through discussions, workshops, performances and social events.

The conference is seeking Artistic Directors/Producers to take part in a special directors-playwrights-producers speed-smooze at Lookingglass on Friday, November 12 at 1:15 p.m. Participants will have a chance to meet AJT-member playwrights from across the country. The speed-smooze format will introduce participants to many playwrights quickly and will include information to follow up with those writers of interest to you.

Although all AJT playwrights have a connection to Jewish theatre, their individual scripts cover diverse topics and appeal to diverse audiences. Most of these playwrights have had previous productions in a variety of venues. The only requirement is a passion for new work.

If you choose to participate, the conference will distribute your resume and/or artistic statement to the producers, directors and theatre representatives attending the conference in order to foster creative partnerships. Participants in the director-playwright-producer exchange would also receive complimentary tickets to “ShPIel” – a showcase of solo performances, short scenes and non-traditional theatre – at the Center on Halsted on Sunday, November 14 at 2:00 p.m., as well as to the AJT conference closing reception after the performance. This will be an opportunity to meet the wide range of theatre professionals from across the United States attending the conference.

More information on the Association for Jewish Theatre is available on www.afjt.com. To sign up for the speed-smooze session, or if you have questions, please contact virtualelayne@gmail.com.

Industry Ticket Offer

6th Annual First Look Repertory of New Work - Steppenwolf Garage Theatre, 1624 N. Halsted, is offering $10 industry tickets for performances Wednesday, October 27th through Sunday, October 31st.To redeem $10 tickets call Audience Services directly at 312.335.1650 or visit www.steppenwolf.org and use code “7664.” Tickets must be reserved at least one hour before performance. Subject to availability.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Call for Playwrights

InchWorm Play Reading Series is seeking underexposed playwrights for their monthly reading series. Playwrights should be interested in doing rewrites. This is not a series for finished work. Please send submissions in word or pdf format to InchWormChicago@gmail.com. Both full scripts and 10 page samples are welcome. Please do not send abstracts. A resume is required. Scripts and resumes are accepted on a rolling basis.

We’re looking for your first drafts! All submitted work should be considered “in process.” It is expected that your play will change before, during, and after this process. Because this work is considered “in process,” literary managers and agents are not invited to attend.

Readings occur in the evening on the 2nd Monday evening of every month. Each reading will have a director, dramaturg, and actors and 2-5 rehearsals depending on the size and scope of the play, as well as the availability of all involved parties. Playwrights are expected to attend rehearsals. We work in collaboration with the playwright on the selection of the director and dramaturg.

Ultimately the InchWorm Play Reading Series seeks help the playwright’s work progress and strengthen the relationship between the playwright, director, and dramaturg. We provide a collaborative environment so the playwright can determine the strengths and weaknesses of their play. The reading will also have a moderated talk back to receive audience reaction and feedback.

Broadway Playhouse Open House

COME ONE, COME ALL
BROADWAY PLAYHOUSE OPEN HOUSE
Free to the public
Saturday, October 23, 2010
10 a.m. till 1 p.m.

• Tour the New Broadway Playhouse
• Exclusive Sneak Peek at the Mind-Blowing New Show TRACES
• Shop at the first-ever Broadway In Chicago Theatre Memorabilia Sale, with autographed posters, programs, photos, souvenirs and more – All to benefit Season of Concern

Broadway Playhouse Concourse
175 E. Chestnut, Chicago
Free to the public!

All proceeds from Theater Memorabilia Sale will benefit Season of Concern

Industry Ticket Offer

Philip Glass' The Season's Project - Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph, is offering FREE industry tickets. Vivaldi vs. Philip Glass…you decide! A contemporary take on Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons on Sunday, October 24 at 3:00 pm. Call 312.334.7777 and mention code “VOTE” to redeem your complimentary tickets.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

City of Hope: Chicago Cares Concert

The cast and crew of Disney’s The Lion King and Billy Elliot the Musical join together to present City of Hope: Chicago Cares – a concert featuring song, dance, and spoken word. Celebrating the inspiration, awareness, change and new horizons that live performance can achieve, this very special one-time event will be held on Monday, October 25 at 7:00pm at the Royal George Theatre, 1641 n. Halsted Street Chicago, IL.

Audience members will enjoy over 12 performances from the classics, pop, r&b and broadway. Additionally, audience members will also have an opportunity to participate in several silent auctions featuring tickets to the lion king, as well as several restaurant packages, broadway merchandise and “one-of-a-kind props” from the lion king.

All proceeds will benefit Chicago House and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids (BC/EFA).

Chicago house now in its 25th year, chicago house provides housing and supportive services to men, women, and children living with hiv and aids. Their programs have since expanded to include community case management, substance abuse counseling, hiv prevention, medical adherence, and the midwest ’s first employment training and placement program specific to people with hiv. Chicago house now also offers free, anonymous rapid hiv testing.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids (BC/EFA) is the nation’s leading industry based hiv/aids fundraising and grant-making organization.

TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets for CITY OF HOPE: CHICAGO CARES are currently on sale for $40 General Admission and $75 VIP Seating and a post show reception sponsored by Grey Goose Vodka and Sweet Miss Giving’s Bakery. Tickets can be purchased in advance by calling Chicago House (773)248-5200 x303 or on the web at www.chicagohouse.org. Tickets may also be purchased at the door, pending availability. This one night only performance will be held at The Royal George Theatre 1641 N. Halsted Street, Chicago, IL

Monday, October 18, 2010

Industry Ticket Offers

Departure Lounge - Bailiwick Chicago at the Royal George Theatre, 1641 N. Halsted, is offering industry tickets for select performances. Get 50% off your ticket (plus $1 service fee) for Thursday 8:00 pm and Saturday 3:00 pm shows from October 28 through November 13. Available only at the box office on the day of performance. Must provide a headshot/resume. Visit www.bailiwickchicago.com for more information on the show.

The Water Engine: An American Fable - Theatre Seven is offering $10 industry tickets to all performances (October 29-December 5). This will be the lowest priced ticket for the entire run, so use code TENFORTEN at www.theatreseven.org or when calling 773-404-7336 to take advantage of this special, limited time offer. Tickets must be purchased between October 10 and 19.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Early and Often

Did everybody read Chris Jones’ blog piece over the weekend? If not, do it right away. I hope this mayoral election has you jazzed. Actually I hope all elections have you jazzed. We are working on some ideas and initiatives to put into play once the candidates announce and I know Arts Alliance Illinois is working hard on it too. Elections are a unique opportunity for us to talk about ourselves and it’s not all about increasing funding. It is an opportunity for us to tell our story from top to bottom, to talk about our partnerships in schools and with local businesses, to talk about ourselves as good citizens and to talk about ourselves in the context of our neighborhoods, to point out that we are a tourist attraction, an economic generator, a cultural asset and a cultural resource.

I hope you will all be as active and vocal as Chris has been and encourage all of your constituents to be as well. We can have real influence over this election. I’m talking about this early and I will talk about it often. You will be getting many more communiqués from the League and from the Alliance. But, you can start now, write a letter to the editor, learn something about the potential candidates, AND if you see Rahm at an el station, ask him about his arts policy platform.

Deb

Backstage Forum at Chicago Dramatists

November 6, 2010 at 2 p.m.
BACKSTAGE FORUM - An Open Discussion with Artistic Directors - Part IX Our annual panel allowing playwrights to network with Artistic Directors and Literary Managers of theatres that produce new plays.

TOPICS:
New play development and production, commitment to local playwrights, play selection criteria, submission procedures, chain of command, playwright agreements and contracts, commissioning, what kind of plays and playwrights interest them, the best and worst ways to get their attention, current trends, and more. Time will be allotted for questions from the audience and for playwrights to socialize and network with the panelists.

PANELISTS:
MICHAEL HALBERSTAM, Artistic Director, Writers' Theatre JAMIL KHOURY, Artistic Director, Silk Road Theatre Project KRISSY VANDERWARKER, Artistic Director, Dog & Pony Theatre Company JAMES PALMER, Artistic Director, Red Tape Theatre, JEREMY WECHSLER, Artistic Director, Theater Wit RUSS TUTTEROW (Moderator), Artistic Director, Chicago Dramatists

CHECK OUT THE PANELISTS' WORK WITH PLAYWRIGHTS AND NEW PLAYS:
www.writerstheatre.org
www.srtp.org
www.dogandponychicago.org
www.redtapetheatre.org
www.theaterwit.com

Industry Ticket Offers

The Rip Nelson Halloween Spooktacular - Hell in a Handbag Productions at Mary's Attic, 5400 N. Clark St., is offering $10 industry night tickets on Sunday, Oct. 31 7:30pm. Advanced tickets can be purchased online at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/124695, at the door, or by phone 1-800-838-3006 -use code word ‘industry’.

Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show – Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel - 163 East Walton Place in Chicago, is offering all League members and their guests 10% off any shows in the months of October and November. Ticket includes your choice four course sit down dinner, interactive murder mystery show, clues, prizes and so much more. Please use code LEAGUE10. Please visit http://www.dinnerdetective.com/ for tickets and more information or you can call our box office at 866-496-0535.

The Comedy of Errors - Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis, is offering $10 industry rush tickets to every performance through October 17. Rush tickets are $10 per person with proof of industry one hour before curtain, subject to availability.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Presentation of The Zelda Fichandler Award

Come toast the 2010 Fichandler Award recipient,Michael Halberstam, and celebrate the region’s outstanding artistic leadership with a dynamic discussion on stage direction, Chicago-style.

Presentation of The Zelda Fichandler Award
Monday, October 18th at 6 p.m.
Steppenwolf Theatre


EVENT
Welcome by SDC Board Member Amy Morton
Stage Direction, Chicago-Style moderated by Sheldon Patinkin
Panelists: Seth Bockley, Timothy Douglas, Gary Griffin, Kimberly Senior, and Dennis Zacek

2010 Zelda Fichandler Award presented to Michael Halberstam of Writers’ Theatre
Presented by David Cromer

DETAILS
Steppenwolf Theatre
1650 N. Halstead Street
Chicago, IL 60614

Light hors d’oeuvres will be served.
This is a FREE event. Please feel free to share this invitation with others interested
in theatre and the craft of stage direction.

NOTE: Parking is available in Steppenwolf Garage for a fee

RSVP to Foundation@SDCweb.org

Slideshow: Chicago Theatre Intern Networking Event

September 27, 2010 - Chicago Shakespeare Theater


Monday, October 11, 2010

Industry Ticket Offer

I Do! I Do! - Light Opera Works Second Stage, 1420 Maple Avenue in Evanston, is offering half-price (regularly $27, $34 and $42) industry tickets for all Friday 8 p.m. performances through November 11. For tickets call 847-869-6300 or visit www.LightOperaWorks.com and use code "Honeymoon." Tickets must be purchased in advance. No door sales.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Less than Six Degrees

I happened to be in Flagstaff, Arizona last week. I need coffee something fierce in the morning and I was sitting on a bench at about 6:00 a.m .one morning and a guy walked up to me and asked if it was the best coffee in town (it wasn’t) and we struck up a conversation and turns out his son is an improv guy in Chicago. I don’t know him but I’d heard his name before. Flagstaff feels very far away from here but in that moment I could have been sitting on a bench on Broadway in my neighborhood, oh you work in theatre? My son works over at IO.

That interaction brought home not only how large a community we are and how our influence can be felt all over the country but how incredible it is to be a part of it. I just about bust with pride whenever I tell anyone what I do. Try it yourself, meet a stranger (not someone you expect to be a theatre person), tell them what you do, it will be less than six degrees that separates you from the person or thing she knows about Chicago theatre and it will make you feel all warm and fuzzy.

Deb

Creative Conversation with Marc Vogl and Ian David Moss

Monday, October 18, 2010 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
The Westin 909 North Michigan in Chicago
RSVP: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/creative-conversation-10
The event is free

Why attend?
1) Speakers Marc Vogl and Ian David Moss -- Marc Vogl of the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation recently received the Emerging Leader Award from Americans for the Arts and made the top 25 most powerful and influential leaders in the arts on Barry’s Blog. Ian David Moss of Fractured Atlas is the brain and passion behind the “revolutionary” and “must-read” blog Createquity and also made Barry Blog’s top 25 list.

2) Networking with Young Professionals and Emerging Arts Leaders -- This is a unique chance to incite dialogue, connect, and make mischief with other up-and-coming leaders in the Chicago arts scene. Whatever you specialize in -- fundraising, marketing, management, finance, programming, advocacy -- this is your network.

3) Two Comp Tix to the Chicago Humanities Festival -- The Chicago Humanities Festival is bringing the world’s best and brightest thinkers, performers, and artists to Chicago on October 24 and November 2-12. Everyone who attends the Creative Conversation will get a voucher for 2 tickets to a Festival event of your choice.

4) National Arts and Humanities Month -- October is National Arts and Humanities Month, and this is your chance to celebrate!

The program will start at 6:00 pm with networking and a facilitated discussion with Marc, Ian, and all emerging leaders in the room. At 7:00 pm we’ll head to the Westin bar and lounge for a Dutch treat happy hour. The event is free to attend!

To RSVP, please visit http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/creative-conversation-10. More event details are available at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=160243347336509.

Free Journalist Panel on October 11

Remy Bumppo Theatre Company is hosting a panel discussion entitled “Is the Truth Front Page News?” on Monday, October 11 at 7 p.m. at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. Lending their expertise to the discussion are journalists Ramsin Canon, political editor and co-founder of Gaper's Block, Alden K. Loury, publisher of The Chicago Reporter, Mary Mitchell, columnist for The Chicago Sun-Times and Timothy J. McNulty co-director of Medill School of Journalism's National Security Initiative. The panel discussion will be moderated by Richard Steele, host of WBEZ's “Eight Forty-Eight.”

The “Is the Truth Front Page News?” panel event is free and open to the public, and reservations are recommended. The event will be recorded for WBEZ's Chicago Amplified archives. Seating is general admission, and doors open at 6:30 p.m. For reservations and more information visit www.remybumppo.org or call 773-244-8119.

Register Now for Columbia College Chicago Theatre Symposium

Online registration is NOW AVAILABLE for "Chicago: Theatre Capital of America: Past. Present. Future," scheduled for May 18-22, 2011 at Columbia College Chicago. This symposium will bring together theatre scholars and professionals from around the world to reflect on and document the vibrant history of Chicago theatre and to share visions and strategies for the next generation. Featured speakers include Steppenwolf artistic director Martha Lavey; Richard Christiansen, author of "A Theater of Our Own: A History and a Memoir of 1,001 Nights in Chicago"; Lisa Portes, head of DePaul University's MFA directing program; Northwestern University's Harvey Young, author of "Embodying Black Experience"; Todd London, co-author of "Outrageous Fortune: The Life and Times of the New American Play"; and British theatre critic Michael Billington of the Guardian, who drew international attention to Chicago when he declared it "the theatre capital of America."

Themes to be addressed in a series of panels and papers include: the development of Chicago theatre from a grass-roots movement into a global phenomenon; improvisation; literary adaptation; Chicago playwrights and how they got that way; the development of new work; theatre rooted in specific racial, ethnic, and cultural communities; fringe theatre and performance; the relationship of storefront and large institutional theatres; the impact of Chicago theatre on Broadway, Hollywood, and regional theatre; the state of theatre criticism in a changing media environment; theatre as public space; the role of arts education and teaching artists; and developing the next generation of arts leaders.

Please join us for the first event of its kind to celebrate and chronicle Chicago's rich, innovative theatre scene and to chart a path for the future. Early online registration costs $95 -- or $60 for students. To register, or for more information, go to www.colum.edu/theatresymposium. Also, please go to our Facebook page.

Chicago Community Trust SMART Growth Grant Program

Chicago Community Trust SMART Growth Grant Program

Eligibility:
- Potential grantees should be deeply rooted in and reflective of a community, target population, or art form that is underrepresented in the cultural spectrum of the Chicago region.
- Applicant organizations MUST also meet the following criteria:
-Be an Illinois nonprofit with a federal 501( c )3 tax-exempt designation;
-Be incorporated as an arts and culture organization (not a social service agency, college/university, etc. with an affiliated arts/cultural program);
-Be located in and primarily serve Cook County;
-Have an annual operating budget that is less than $1 million in its most recently audited fiscal year;
-Have at least one paid management staff person;
-Have a functioning, volunteer Board of Directors;
-Have not been a prior SMART Growth grantee.

Purpose:
The Trust believes that the strength of our region’s cultural vitality is rooted in the diversity of community-based arts and cultural organizations that create affordable and accessible arts opportunities for all residents. SMART Growth is a 4-year capacity-building program designed to help these organizations develop from sound management practices that effectively support their art and ensure their resilience through economic shifts, staff transitions, and evolving markets.


Timeline:
Nov. 1, 2010 -Application deadline

Jan. 31, 2011 -30 organizations are selected to participate in the SMART Growth Program

Feb. – Aug. 2011 -The 30 selected organizations participate in the smARTscope assessment to identify management areas that are strong and those that are lagging (conducted by the Arts & Business Council of Chicago)

Sept. 2011 -Year 1 grant proposals are due, indicating how you will address the lagging areas, what outcomes you will achieve in Year 1, and how you will measure your progress. Requests may be from $20,000-$50,000 per year.

January 2012 -Year 1 grants are approved for the 30 selected organizations

Sept. 2012 -Year 2 grant proposals are due, summarizing your progress to date and setting outcomes and measures for Year 2

January 2013 - Year 2 grants are approved for the same 30 organizations (unless performance does not justify a renewal)

Sept. 2013 - Year 3 grant proposals are due, summarizing progress to date and outlining Year 3 outcomes and measures

January 2014 - Year 3 grants are approved for the same organizations (unless performance does not justify a renewal)

How to Apply:
In order to be considered for the 2011 SMART Growth Program at the Chicago Community Trust, your organization should submit the information listed below ELECTRONICALLY (via e-mail) no later than November 1, 2010.

1. Your organizational profile report, generated by the Illinois Cultural Data Project, including the optional demographic information. Go to www.ilculturaldata.org.
2. A list of your organization’s Board of Directors
3. A one-page narrative (in Word – not a PDF) that addresses the following:
Describe how your arts/cultural organization is deeply rooted in and reflective of a community, target population, or art form that is underrepresented in the cultural spectrum of the Chicago region.
4. Any optional information you would like to provide, such as a list of events, programs, awards, or other materials that are available via e-mail or hyperlink.

Submit to: smartgrowth@cct.org

Deadline: Monday, November 1, 2010

Questions: arts@cct.org or (312) 565-2311

Space Availability at The Second Stage

Profiles Theatre has performance space available to rent at The Second Stage (former Stage Left Theatre space) at 3408 N. Sheffield. The fifty seat theatre is a very affordable space for young, emerging or established itinerant companies in a great location. If you would like to find out more information about rentals for your future productions, they are booking immediately for prime time, late and off night productions, classes and rehearsals. Please call 773-549-1815 or email profilestheatre@gmail.com.

Industry Ticket Offers

Scorched - Silk Road Theatre Project at the Historic Chicago Temple Building, 77 W. Washington, Pierce Hall, is offering $10 industry tickets on Thursday, October 14 at 7:30 p.m. and Friday, October 15 at 8 p.m. ADVANCE PURCHASES on-line only at www.srtp.org. Use coupon code "INDUSTRY." Industry Tickets available up to one hour before curtain. For further information visit http://www.srtp.org/. Must present headshot and/or resume.

Motown Metal - Fulcrum Point at the Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph, is offering $5 industry tickets on October 27 at 7 p.m. One night only concert inspired by the sounds of Motown & Led Zeppelin. Offer includes sliders & suds post concert reception. Reservations available via http://www.fulcrumpoint.org/tickets.html.. All the tickets will be held at WILL CALL.

Friday, October 1, 2010

Industry Ticket Offer

Louis Slotin Sonata - A Red Orchid Theatre, 1531 N. Wells is offering a pay-what-you-can industry performance on Monday, October 4 at 7 p.m. For tickets call 312-943-8722or visit www.aredorchidtheatre.org.