Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Industry Ticket Offers

Peer Gynt - Polarity Ensemble Theatre at the DCA Storefront Theater, 66 E. Randolph in Chicago, is offering $15 industry tickets for Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 7:30 p.m. or Sunday at 3 p.m. through December 18th. Email TicketOffice@explorechicago.org or call 312-742-TIXS (8497). Visit http://www.dcatheater.org for more information.

Still in Play - Curious Theatre Branch at Links Hall, 3435 N. Sheffield Ave, is offering $15 buy one get one industry tickets December 9 – 11. Use Discount Code CURIOUS online or say it the door to get discount. For tickets and show information visit www.linkshall.org

Party 3.0


Victory Gardens, Silk Road Rising and Theatre Communications Group are hosting a public event to celebrate the new anthology of contemporary Asian American drama entitled Version 3.0, edited by Victory Gardens' Artistic Director Chay Yew, and published by TCG Publications. The event will be held Sunday, December 4, from 5:00pm-7:00pm at Victory Gardens Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave. The evening will include a reception, readings and a discussion with Chay Yew and Luis Alfaro, award-winning playwright, poet and activist (author of Oedipus el Rey, VG's Summer 2012 show) about the anthology and the current state of the art.

Version 3.0 features a foreward by David Henry Hwang (Chinglish, M. Butterfly), and includes work by today's foremost Asian American playwrights including Julia Cho, Diana Son, Chay Yew, Han Ong, Alice Tuan and others.

The event is free and open to the public. Reservations are required by contacting Daniel Reinglass, 773.328.2130 or dreinglass@victorygardens.org.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Chicago Dramatists Winter 2012 Classes

This Winter: Become a Playwright
A national leader in playwright training, Chicago Dramatists offers a variety of professional playwriting classes designed for both beginning and experienced playwrights. Classes are focused on building practical skills and stage-worthy scripts, and are conducted in a supportive, positive environment. Most classes include a mixture of lecture, discussion, writing assignments (both in and out of class), reading and critiquing participants’ work. Special opportunities this winter include Screenwriting with Resident Playwright Mary Ruth Clarke (author of “Meet the Parents”) and Story into Song I with Resident Playwright Cheryl Coons (lyricist with Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Marriott’s Lincolnshire, Northlight and The Royal George).

Visit www.chicagodramatists.org/classes for more information and to register for classes today!

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing everyone a very happy and relaxing Thanksgiving weekend. We are immensely thankful to work with and support all of you in this amazing community.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Apply to Perform at the 2012 Chicago Fringe Festival



Applications to perform at the 2012 Chicago Fringe Festival will open for submission on: December 12, 2011, at 10 a.m. Central Time

All instructions, plus more info about performing at the festival, on the website.

First Come, First Serve
25% of our available slots will be awarded first-come, first-serve.
For the 2011 festival, the first-come, first-serve slots sold out in 4 minutes.

Space Availability at the Greenhouse Theater Center

Greenhouse Theater Center has 2 studio rental openings. A Winter slot from 12/26-02/12 (6 week run) and a Spring slot from 04/02-05/27 (7 week run). Only companies interested in the full performance slots will be considered. Rent includes Box Office & Front of House Services, a small sound & lighting package, dressing room, backstage area. Please contact Jenn Kincaid at jennifer@greenhousetheater.org or 773.404.7336 x200.

Monday, November 21, 2011

2012 - 2013 Saints Grants Program



The Saints would like to announce the opening of their 2012 - 2013 Grants Program. The Saints invite and encourage theatres to apply for this grant assistance to be used for artistic development or production-related purposes. Budget requests up to $5,000 are considered. The grant period is from June 1, 2012 through May 31, 2013.

The application can be accessed on the Saints website at http://www.saintschicago.org/.

Applications are due Monday, January 16, 2012.

Applicants will receive a confirmation within five days of application submission. If not received, please contact Pamela Block, Grants Commission Chairperson, at Blockpj@aol.com.

Friday, November 18, 2011

Industry Ticket Offers

A Bright New Boise - LiveWire Chicago Theatre at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln is offering $13 tickets to our Thanksgiving weekend performances, Friday and Saturday at 8pm; Sunday at 3pm. Use discount code 'BOISE' at www.greenhousetheater.com or call 773-404-7336 and mention this offer. Visit http://www.livewirechicago.com/boise for more information.

Changes of Heart – Remy Bumppo Theatre Company at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N Lincoln Ave. is offering $15 industry tickets for all Friday 7:30 performances from 11/25 through 12/30. Code is INDUSTRY. Purchase tickets online at remybumppo.org or call 773-404-7336.

Sound of Silence - Theater Wit 1229 W Belmont, Chicago is offering FREE industry tickets Sat November 26 7:00pm; Mention code INDUSTRY ONE at the Box Office. Must present headshot, resume or business card. Click here for more information.

Date Me! - Theater Wit 1229 W Belmont, Chicago is offering FREE industry tickets Wed November 23 7:30pm, Fri Nov 25 7:30pm , Sat Nov 26 8:30pm, Sun Nov 27 3pm; Mention code INDUSTRY TWO at the Box Office. Must present headshot, resume or business card. Click here for more information.

Ann – Bank of America Theatre, 18 W. Monroe – is offering $15 industry tickets to the Wednesday, November 30 evening performance of ANN, a new play written and performed by Emmy-winner Holland Taylor. Use code INDUSTRY when ordering. Visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com for more information.

Caffeine Theatre Seeks Short Original Performance Pieces

Caffeine Theatre seeks short original performance pieces of all disciplines--music, dance, theatre, spoken word, poetry, etc.--for its Penelope Coffeehouse Cabaret, produced in collaboration with Steppenwolf Theatre company in support of Steppenwolf’s production of Enda Walsh’s play Penelope. The Penelope Coffeehouse Cabaret will take place at the Steppenwolf Garage Theatre on December 15 from 5:00 PM-7:00 PM. The event celebrates Enda Walsh’s play, a contemporary adaptation of The Odyssey set in a swimming pool.

Pieces should explore the themes of the play (including competition, fighting for love, and intergenerational conflict) and/or should relate in some way to The Odyssey. Please email a script, poem, and/or a 1 page proposal to Associate Artistic Directors Dan Smith (dan@caffeinetheatre.com) and Kristin Idaszak (kristin@caffeinetheatre.com) including a description of your proposed piece, how many people you expect to be involved, estimated length, and any required resources. (We will accept proposals for scripts that do not yet exist or pieces that do not have a traditional script, but please include that information in your proposal.) Pieces should run less than 15 minutes, and preference will be given to pieces with minimal setup and technical requirements. Please use “Penelope Coffeehouse submission” in the subject heading.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: November 28, 2011.

Accepted pieces will be notified by December 1, 2011

Thursday, November 17, 2011

#NAMPC

This past weekend 520 arts marketers from around the country including more than a dozen from Chicago area theatres travelled down to Louisville, Kentucky for the National Arts Marketing Conference. The conference covered a wide range or topics related to arts marketing including branding, customer service, ROI, dynamic pricing, loyalty programs, audience feedback, mobile apps, CRMs, and of course plenty of conversations about social media. If you missed out on the conference (or you'd like to review) you can watch the keynote/plenary presentations from the #NAMPC conference: http://www.livestream.com/nampconference2011.

We're also hosting an event on Wednesday, November 30 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Fountainhead (1970 W. Montrose.) called Marketing and Makers Mark. We'll be discussing takeaways from the National Arts Marketing Project Conference over a glass of Kentucky bourbon (or your drink of choice). The event is free for League members, but space is limited. RSVP to ben@chicagoplays.com to attend. We hope to see you there!

Promotional Opportunity--What's New in 2012?

The Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture (COTC) continually reaches out to the media on behalf of Chicago's cultural and community partners and in a few short weeks they will be issuing a release on What's New in 2012.

With this annual release we attract regional, national and international media attention to Chicago that invigorates our thriving $11 billion tourism industry. You are invited to share, by Monday, November 28, the highlights of your 2012 cultural calendar.

This includes:
New Destinations opening in 2012 (museums, theaters, restaurants, hotels)
Major Anniversaries in 2012
World Premieres & Openings (performances, long-running exhibits)
Notable Residencies/Partnerships beginning in 2012 (Guest conductors, profiled chefs, award-winning theater/dance directors)

To submit your attraction/event/tour for consideration, please email andres.torres@explorechicago.org the name, dates, address, and a 75-word max. description by Monday, November 28.

To review a list of ways in which you can collaborate with the Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture, visit the Toolkit for Community and Cultural Partners.

A Saturday Morning Salute to Roy Leonard

The Museum of Broadcast Communications presents:

A Saturday Morning Salute to Roy Leonard

Saturday, December 3, 2011
11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
360 N. State. St.

Tickets: $20

RSVP at www.museum.tv or call 312.245.8200

New Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center Open House

The Black Ensemble Theater is celebrating its 35th anniversary and the Grand Opening of the New Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center! A local treasure, a national wonder and an international success best describe the dynamic organization that is the Black Ensemble Theater. Founded in 1976, by the phenomenal producer, playwright and actress Jackie Taylor, Black Ensemble Theater has grown from a small community arts organization to a nationally and internationally renowned strong arts institution.

Open House
The Black Ensemble Theatre
4450 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60640
Saturday, November 19
From 10 am – 2 pm

Please come by and join us!

Monday, November 14, 2011

Industry Ticket Offer

Season's Greetings - Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd. in Skokie is offering $10 tickets for theatre industry professionals to all performances November 11-20. Excludes Opening Night. Offer available by phone or walk-up, must mention the code INDUSTRY to reserve. Proof of industry (headshot, business card, etc.) requested upon ticket pickup. A Pay-What-You-Can performance will be offered on Saturday, November 19 at 8 p.m. Tickets available by walk-up, day of performance only. For reservations call 847.673.6300. Visit http://www.northlight.org/ for more information.

Maple and Vine - Next Theatre, 927 Noyes St in Evanston is offering an industry night this Thursday, November 17 at 7:30 p.m. including a post-show talk-back. Tickets by phone (847-475-1875) or using code INDUSTRY online at http://www.nexttheatre.org/.

AXIS Dance Company- The Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress Pkwy, is offering 50% off tickets* for Sat, Nov 19 at 7:30pm and Sun, Nov 20 at 2pm. Use code LEAGUE. Tickets available at 800.982.ARTS, www.ticketmaster.com/auditorium or the Auditorium box office. *Available on price levels 2 & 3 only.

Mr. Rickey Calls a Meeting – Lookingglass Theatre, 821 N. Michigan Ave, is offering an exclusive pre-sale for this fastball drama about the integration of America's pastime. Save $5 on tickets with code RICKEYPRESALE when calling 312-337-0665 or click here. Visit lookingglasstheatre.org for more information. Offer expires 11/28/11.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Change or Die

I saw Richard Evans, from EmcArts speak earlier this week. I found his thoughts around innovation and adaptability very interesting. I have always thought that arts organizations need to be adaptable. I remember once during the first strategic planning process I was a part of I kept introducing the word flexibility as a core value and everyone kept asking me what I meant and I couldn’t really explain what I meant by that. Now I know I meant adaptability, but also flexibility…hah. Anyway, he actually laid out what it means to be adaptable and how an organization can get there. He said, essentially that the road to innovation is called adaptability street. Interesting stuff.

But then he got into this whole thing about how we have to CHANGE, CHANGE or DIE. Yawn. Look, I’m all for change and I think we do change, I think we change all the time, we have to. I also think we have to try harder to find new models and ways of doing our work. But really if someone shows me that picture of the people dancing in the plaza at the Performing Arts Center in LA one more time and tells me how that is the wave of the future…please. Non-professionals dancing…OMG! Really?? we’ve been dancing for thousands of years. We’re human, we dance, we can’t help it. Whenever someone shows that picture, and literally I’ve seen it a dozen times in lectures and presentations, they always say “and it’s not about selling tickets,” and “they don’t charge the people to dance.” Yes, yes it is about selling tickets, or are you trying to tell me the Performing Arts Center in LA is moving its model to dancing in the plaza rather than presenting world class international dance companies. It’s nice that they provide opportunities for people to dance and sure, more of that is lovely and needed, but don’t tell me it’s a revolutionary innovation, it’s not.

I think Richard Evans is a smart guy and don’t forget I think his ideas about innovation and adaptability are spot on and we should all be more adaptable and innovative and he actually gave us a road map to get there (he said in the lecture slides to come, which I will be happy to share). Just please stop showing me that picture.

Deb

Monday, November 7, 2011

Industry Ticket Offers

The Jackie Wilson Story - Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Uptown is offering Buy One Get One Free industry tickets for the 7:30 p.m. show on Wednesday November 23rd. Call 773-769-4451 and mention this offer. Must present headshot, resume or business card. Visit http://www.blackensemble.org/ for more information.

Seven Doors - Premiere Theatre and Performance at the Dank Haus, 4740 N. Western is offering $10 industry tickets to all performances November 6 - December 11 except opening. For tickets or more information visit http://www.ptapchicago.org/ or call 773-250-7055.

A Bright New Boise - LiveWire Chicago Theatre at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln is offering $10 advance tickets to any performance up until midnight on Friday, November 11th. Use discount code 'ADVANCE' at http://www.greenhousetheater.com/ or call 773-404-7336 and mention this offer. Visit http://www.livewirechicago.com/ for more information.

The Nutcracker - The House Theatre of Chicago at the Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St. offers $10 student and industry rush tickets available at all performances pending availability one prior to curtain at the box office window through December 30, 2011. Visit http://www.thehousetheatre.com/ for more information.

The House of Yes - 20% Theatre Chicago at The Think Tank, 1770 W. Berteau #207, is offering $10 student/industry tickets through November 20, 2011. Email boxoffice@twentypercentchicago.com to reserve your seats.

Clybourne Park - Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St. is offering $20 tickets for the Sunday, November 13, 7:30 p.m. closing performance. To redeem call Audience Services directly at 312.335.1650 or visit http://www.steppenwolf.org/ and use code “9371.” Tickets must be reserved at least one hour before performance. Subject to availability.

Through the Middle Ground - the side project, 1439 W. Jarvis, is offering a pay what you can industry performance on November 11 at 7:30 p.m. All of the proceeds will go toward the National Veteran's Art Museum (http://www.nvam.org/). Reservations recommended, but not required. To do so, e-mail tickets@thesideproject.net or call 773-973-2150.

Interrogation Primer - the side project, 1439 W. Jarvis, is offering a pay what you can industry performance on November 11 at 10:30 p.m. All of the proceeds will go toward the National Veteran's Art Museum (http://www.nvam.org/). Reservations recommended, but not required. To do so, e-mail tickets@thesideproject.net or call 773-973-2150.

Cities of Light - Piven Theatre Workshop, 927 Noyes St. in Evanston, is offering a pay-what-you-can industry performance on Wednesday, November 16 at 7:30 p.m. Call the box office to reserve your seats at 847.866.8049 for this one night only special!

Assisted Living by Deirdre O'Connor – Profiles Theatre The Second Stage, 3408 N. Shefflield in Chicago, is offering a limited number of comp industry tickets for the 5 p.m. matinee on Saturday November 12. Call (773) 549-1815 and mention this offer. Visit www.profilestheatre.org for more information.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Chicago Restaurant Week expands for 2012 with ways for CCTB non-dining members to participate

Question: If you’re not a restaurant, how can you participate in Chicago Restaurant Week 2012?
Answer: Host a food-themed special event or activity!

Now in its fifth year, Chicago Restaurant Week is the largest dining event of its kind in the Midwest. The 10-day food celebration will run February 17 – 26, 2012 and restaurants throughout the entire metro Chicago area will offer prix fixe menus at $22, $33 and $44 for lunch and dinner. Last year, Chicago Restaurant Week served 377,000+ diners in 207 participating restaurants and generated $19.68 million in direct spending for Chicago’s restaurant industry.

New for 2012, the CCTB is running a $625k consumer ad campaign targeting a 500-mile drive market to encourage visitation to Chicago during January and February. The Chicago Restaurant Week website (EatItUpChicago.com) will feature special February hotel rates at tiered pricing of $89, $119 and $149.

Additionally, the website will feature food-themed events and activities hosted by CCTB non-restaurant members. It’s a way for your brand to be part of Chicago Restaurant Week and get exposed to hundreds of thousands of hungry diners – both residents and visitors – via EatItUpChicago.com.

The kinds of events are only limited by your imagination. Below are the primary categories we’ll use to organize these events, along with real examples of food-themed special events that are in line with the kinds of activities we believe would complement Chicago Restaurant Week:

• Tours & Attractions
o Example: Chicago Architecture Foundation’s “Appetite for Design” http://caf.architecture.org/page.aspx?pid=995
• Museums, Galleries & Exhibitions
o Example: Art Institute of Chicago’s “A Feast for the Eyes” Mini-Tour http://www.artic.edu/aic/visitor_info/selfguide/june08_guide.pdf
• Theater & Performing Arts
• Music & Comedy
• Shopping

To participate, it is NOT necessary to offer a discount. It’s more important that you create a food-themed event or activity that would appeal to residents and visitors alike as they’re making plans for their participation in Chicago Restaurant Week.

Generally speaking, events should be scheduled no earlier than February 3, after the CCTB’s kick-off media event on February 2, and no later than February 28. If you’re creating special activities, such as a food-inspired tour, it’s appropriate to offer the activity for the entire month of February, if you wish.

How do you qualify to participate?
Just send your great idea for a special food-themed event or activity that you’ll host and manage. Email hmorris@choosechicago.com by December 1; be sure to include a brief description of the event and details, such as:

· Start/End dates
· Event name and description
· Event URL
· Venue name and address

They'll review all submissions by December 10 and accepted events will be featured on the Chicago Restaurant Week microsite and www.ChooseChicago.com starting in January.

Advocacy Already?

I went to an event hosted by Arts Alliance Illinois titled Uniting for Impact: Arts Policy and the 2012 Election. The best part about it was Representative Jan Schakowsky spoke and she said quite a few things that made an impact on me.

One thing she said was that members of congress do measure input. I’ve said this before, they actually care when their constituents call or write a letter. I have to believe that they would rather take a call or spend time with their constituents than some big business interest. Probably much more fun and enlightening, but they can’t do that but they do know how many people have called or written about a specific issue and it makes a difference.

I know I sound like a broken record but reach out to your Alderman. They can really help you in surprising ways and they are ecstatic to have arts organizations in their wards. Just get to know them, invite them to your events, share your statistics and your successes with them. Make sure they know that you are an important part of your neighborhood.

Finally Representative Schakowsky said WE ASK FOR TOO LITTLE. She refers to the entire budget for the NEA as “budget dust.” She said we should be bolder and say this is what it would look like if we had X. 2012 is coming. What would it look like if we had X?

As always, we try to keep you as informed as possible but please go to the Arts Alliance website as well for info and updates. http://www.artsalliance.org/getinvolved.html.

Deb

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Industry Ticket Offers

Rodgers & Hart: A Celebration - Light Opera Works Second Stage, 1420 Maple Avenue in Evanston, is offering half-price industry tickets (regularly $27, $34 and $42) for November 4 at 8 p.m. For tickets call 847-920-5360 or visit http://www.lightoperaworks.com/ and use code "supper” (all lower case). Tickets must be purchased in advance. No door sales.

Chicago Live! – Chicago Theatre Downstairs, 175 N. State Street in Chicago is offering $10 industry tickets for the remaining dates in the fall season (November 3, 10 and 17). Tickets are available online at http://www.chicagolive.com/; use code THURSDAY when ordering tickets to receive half off the ticket price. Visit http://www.chicagolive.com/ for lineup and more information.

The Ugly One - Sideshow Theatre Company at Oracle Theatre, 3809 N. Broadway, is offering a pay-what-you-can industry performance on Monday, November 7 at 8 p.m. Visit http://www.sideshowtheatre.org/ for more information.

The Great Fire - Lookingglass Theatre, 821 N. Michigan Ave. is offering half-price ($17-20) industry tickets on Thursday matinee performances through December 4. Mention code THUMATBOGO at the box office. Must present headshot, resume or business card. Visit http://www.lookingglasstheatre.org/ for more information.

Or, - Caffeine Theatre at the Flat Iron Arts Building, 1575 N. Milwaukee in Wicker Park, is offering special $10 industry tickets for the 8 p.m. performances on Thursday, November 3 and Thursday, November 10. Visit http://www.caffeinetheatre.com/ or call (312)409-4778 and use code ASTREA.

the Doyle & Debbie show--Royal George Theatre (1641 N. Halsted) is offering a limited number of tickets for $20 Tuesday-Thursday and Sunday Evening performances through next week, 11/13. Valid at the box office only, mention code "INDUST." For more information, go to http://www.doyleanddebbie.com/.

Rasta Thomas’ Bad Boys of Dance - Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress Pkwy, is offering 50% off tickets* for Sat, Nov 5 at 7:30 p.m. and Sun, Nov 6 at 2 p.m. Use code INDUSTRY. Tickets available at 800.982.ARTS, www.ticketmaster.com/auditorium or the Auditorium box office. *Available on price levels 2 & 3 only.