Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Industry Ticket Offers

The Pirates of Penzance – Northwestern University, Ethel M. Barber Theater 30 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston, is offering $10 industry tickets to industry professionals for Friday, July 25 at 8PM, Saturday July 26 at 8PM, Sunday July 27 at 2pm, Friday August 1 at 8pm, and Saturday August 2 at 8pm. Tickets must be purchased in advance, not available at the door. Use the code INDUSTRY. Regular price $30. Buy online (additional fee applies) or via phone 847-491-7282.

Fiddler on the Roof - Light Opera Works at Cahn Auditorium, 600 Emerson in Evanston, is offering half-price industry tickets on August 9, 15 and 23 at 8pm, and August 10, 13 and 20 at 2pm. For tickets call 847-920-5360 or visit www.LightOperaWorks.com and use code "tradition." Tickets must be purchased in advance. No door sales.

Ball at the Savoy - Chicago Folks Operetta At Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont, is offering $22 industry tickets to performances through August 3. Call 773.327.5252 to purchase or in person day of show. Must present resume and or photo to receive discount.

Intimate Apparel - Eclipse Theatre Company at The Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport is offering $10 industry tickets on Thurday July 31st and Friday August 1st at 7:30PM. Use promo code INDUSTRY at the Box Office. Call 773-935-6875 or visit http://www.eclipsetheatre.com for info.

Hank Williams: Lost Highway - American Blues Theater at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. is offering $19 industry tickets for all Wednesday and Thursday 7:30pm performances through August 31. Use promo code INDUSTRY when purchasing tickets. Call (773) 404-7336 or in person. For more information, click here.

Thursday, July 17, 2014

20% Theatre Company's Annual Yard Sale

20% Theatre Company will be holding their annual yard sale: Round 2 this Saturday July 19th at 1342 N. Greenleaf (Greenleaf and Sheridan).

This yard sale will be perfect for designers or other theatre companies looking to save some money on props, costumes or set pieces. All proceeds will go to benefit 20% Theatre's 12th Season: Our History, Our Voices.

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Press Pass: Theater Loop Goes to Stratford September 5 -7

This summer, join The Theater Loop on a getaway to Ontario, Canada. “Press Pass: Theater Loop Goes to Stratford Festival” is a chartered travel package to the world-renowned Stratford Fest. Chicago Tribune theater critic Chris Jones will host this three-day getaway to the leading classical theater festival in North America, complete with premier access to top-tier performances and gatherings with Stratford luminaries organized exclusively for members of this travel group.

Friday, Sept. 5 - Sunday, Sept. 7, 2014 | All Weekend

To book your trip, click here.

Luxury chartered bus round-trip travel from Chicago to Stratford. Chris Jones will accompany travelers on bus for a lively trip filled with theater chatter A+ tickets to four plays Cocktail reception hosted by Chris Jones, with special guests Brunch with Chris Jones and Stratford Festival luminaries Two activities from the following choices:
1.) Backstage tour
2.) Tour of costume and props warehouse
3.) Admission to two Stratford Festival Forum events, featuring panel discussions about themes from the Festival season

Day One: Friday, Sept. 5
The Theater Loop getaway begins at the Tribune Tower with a chartered luxury bus departure at 7 a.m. Friday, September 5. Your transport comes furnished with Wi-Fi, reclining seats, power outlets and water and light snacks. Chris Jones and Theater Loop’s Johnny Oleksinski plus staff from the Chicago Tribune will be on board, keeping the conversation lively and tending to any needs along the way. We will arrive at the Arden Park Hotel, near the Stratford Festival, by late-afternoon, in time for your hotel check-in and dinner of your choosing. Enjoy your first play at 8 p.m. Friday evening, when you’ll have the choice of reserved A+ seating for either “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” or “Man of LaMancha.”

Day Two: Saturday, Sept. 6
As the curtain rises on our second day at Stratford, you will have a choice of a Forum event (“He’s Not Mad, He’s Madly Visionary!: A Debate on Madness and Individuality”) or a guided tour of the Festival Theatre or the vaunted costume and props warehouse. These morning activities conclude around 11 a.m., when you are free to have lunch at one of the many restaurants around Stratford.

After lunch, enjoy A+ seating at a matinee performance of either “Beaux’ Stratagem,” directed by Stratford Festival artistic director Antoni Cimolino, or “Alice Through the Looking Glass.” Following the matinees, Chris Jones invites us to join him for a cocktail hour in the Festival Lounge where he will be in conversation with notable festival artists. You are free to to make your own dinner plans. In the evening, choose one of two shows: “Crazy for You,” with music by George and Ira Gershwin, book by Ken Ledwig and directed by Donna Feore, or Noel Coward’s classic “Hay Fever.”

Day Three: Sunday, Sept. 7
Start your Sunday with either a Forum event (“Restoration Comedy: Those Marital – and Extra-Marital – Knots”) or a backstage tour of the Festival Theatre. You’ll be finished in time for brunch with Chris Jones at the Festival Theater Paul D. Fleck Marquee. The crown jewel of your weekend will be Sunday afternoon’s performance of “King Lear,” directed by Stratford Festival artistic director Antoni Cimolino. You will enjoy A+ seating. Your transportation will depart from the Festival Theatre immediately following the performance. Chris Jones, Johnny Oleksinski and the Chicago Tribune staff will accompany you back to Chicago.

Age Requirement: You must be 21 years old to register.

A note on accommodation and meals at the Stratford Festival

Hotels: Lodging is not included in the price of your ticket. A block of rooms is available at the Arden Park Hotel with a group rate offered for attendees on this trip. Attendees are also free to make their own accommodation decisions.

Food: Light appetizers will be provided at the Saturday cocktail hour; brunch will be provided Sunday; a boxed sandwich dinner will be provided on the bus ride home. All other meals will be the responsibility of the attendees.

To book your trip, click here.

Industry Ticket Offers

Coraline- Black Button Eyes Productions at City Lit Theater, 1020 W Bryn Mawr Ave in Chicago, is offering $15 industry tickets for the Friday August 8 at 7:30 pm, Sunday August 10 at 3 pm, and Tuesday August 12 at 7 pm performances of the musical Coraline. Use promo code GHOSTEYES when purchasing tickets online at coralinechicago.brownpapertickets.com, or present proof of industry affiliation at the door.

Hank Williams: Lost Highway - American Blues Theater at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. is offering $10 industry tickets for all previews (July 25 - 31). Use promo code INDUSTRY when purchasing tickets. Call (773) 404-7336 or in person. For more information, click here.

Monday, July 14, 2014

Making Homes for the Arts in Sacred Places

Informational Events
Partners for Sacred Places’ Making Homes for the Arts in Sacred Places program cultivates new collaborations between arts organizations without a home and houses of worship with space to spare. The program builds bridges between artists and congregations, benefitting both groups. Come learn more!

Join Partners for Sacred Places at one of our upcoming Arts in Sacred Places Informational Events:
Pilsen
Tuesday, July 22nd, 6 to 7 p.m.
Lozano Branch
1805 S. Loomis Street

Washington Park
Wednesday, July 23rd, 6 to 7 p.m.
Coppin Memorial A.M.E. Church
5627 S. Michigan Avenue

North Lawndale
Thursday, July 24th, 6 to 7 p.m.
The Firehouse Community Arts Center
2111 South Hamlin Street
 Open Mic Poetry Set follows

Andersonville
Friday, August 1st, 6 to 7 p.m.
Unity Lutheran Church
1212 W. Balmoral Avenue
42nd Parallel Orchestra performs at 7:30

To RSVP, or for more information about Making Homes for the Arts in Sacred Places, please contact Mariam Thiam, Program Manager, Arts in Sacred Places mthiam@sacredplaces.org
866.796.0297 x97 OR 773.733.8147

Thursday, July 10, 2014

Links Hall Workshops

Workshop 1
PHYSICAL Festival- Conjuring Ideas Through Tactile Improvisation
Taught by Lake Simons
Saturday, July 26th 10 AM - 1 PM

Capacity of workshop- Minimum: 5 Maximum: 15 A non-traditional approach to devising theatre. The process involves working with non-specific materials and objects - for example - a ball of string and a sheet of paper to experiment with. The participant responds to & forms a relationship with the given materials and in so doing finds the seeds of new images/ characters / story-lines. An exercise in tactile improvisation and object manipulation.

Workshop 2 
 PHYSICAL Festival-Devising and Adapting a Novel into Theatre
Taught by Mirage CompaƱia de Teatro
Sunday, July 27th
10 AM - 1 PM
Capacity of workshop- Minimum: 8 Maximum: 30

Creating our own work is an exciting but a difficult process. This will be a singular chance to dive in the creation methods and tools used by the company. In this theatre workshop we will have a look at the connections between a classic novel and a theatre performance. We will explore exercises, games and improvisations that enable us to create a generous performance: in other words theatre that excites and moves the audience.The workshop will provide a safe and supportive space to take creative risks and make mistakes with a feeling of joy!

This master class is ideal for professional and semi-professional actors, directors and theatre practitioners, it is designed to help them understand how to use creative strategies as a tool to devise new theatre. Please bring with you loose, comfortable clothing for movement work.

Workshop 3
PHYSICAL Festival-PRESENCE & ENSEMBLE
Taught by John Flax, Artistic Director of Theater Grottesco
Tuesday, July 29th
10 AM - 1 PM
Capacity of workshop- Minimum: 6 Maximum: 25

Presence and Ensemble are the foundations of physical performance. Personal work includes instinctual response, rhythm, a relaxed, heightened energy and an economy of movement. Ensemble Training works on adjusting personal rhythm and instinct to the group; group balance of space; imagery through movement; and focusing the audience's attention.

Come prepared to move with loose clothing, jewelry removed and hair back. We work barefoot. We start on time.

Workshop 4
PHYSICAL Festival- Silent Theatre Playtime
Taught by Silent Theatre Company
Monday, July 28th
10 AM - 1 PM
Capacity of workshop- Minimum: 6 Maximum: 24

Participants will experience the present moment through physical awareness on stage. each activity is designed to promote clear and pertinent communication through genuine expression via body language and gesticulation. individuals will create characters and scenes rooted in physicality and understood without verbal communication which will end up as a presentable performance ready act. please bring clothes you can move in.

Workshop 5
PHYSICAL Festival-PLAY IS THE THING
Taught by Out of Balanz Theater Company
Friday, August 1st
10 AM - 1 PM
Capacity of workshop- Minimum: 10 Maximum: 24

Out of Balanz invites you to explore the exhilarating territory of play. Together we’ll delve into our inner playfulness through games, exercises and improvisations in order to discover our own idiosyncrasy, naivety and humanity. Supplied with little else than the body that each participant has inherited, this workshop will exploit its participants' unique way of experiencing the world as we endeavor to uncover the life-affirming absurdity of the human condition.

Workshop 6
Saturday August 2nd
10 AM - 1 PM 2 PM - 5 PM Capacity of workshop-
Minimum: 4 Maximum: 24

PHYSICAL Festival-Don't Just Stand There... MOVE!

An introduction to Aspects of Physical Theatre: Taught by James Donlon, Alina Cenal, and Karen Hoyer

Using the phrase “the language of the body” as an inspiration, this workshop is an introductory overview of physical theatre. Focus is given to expanding the expressive potential of each performer using solo and partner exercises. The release of the imagination with a sense of playfulness and joy is primary. A palette of mime, movement, and eccentric dance techniques teaches control, concentration and specificity. Clown exercises explore character, emotion, and relationships, all imbued with a sense of the absurd. Utilizing mime, mask, clown, dance, music, and puppetry, Donlon, Cenal and Hoyer have each developed their unique teaching styles and curriculum through careers in physical theatre spanning 45 years. This masterclass is team taught infused with each teacher's individual methods.

THE ZANY ZONE ¬- CREATE SOMETHING OUT OF NOTHING!

The Donlon Method of Physical Theatre

All workshops are $60. Linkshall.ticketfly.com

Industry Ticket Offers

Orville and Wilbur Did It! – The New Colony at Signal Ensemble Theatre (1802 W Berenice Ave) is offering exclusive $10 industry tickets on Sunday, July 13 and Sunday, July 20 at 6pm. Use code OWINDUSTRY online here or call 773.413.0862.

Intimate Apparel - Eclipse Theatre Company at The Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport is offering $8 industry tickets for all previews on July 17th, 18th and 19th at 7:30PM in addition to $10 industry tickets on Thursday July 24th and Friday July 25th. Use promo code INDUSTRY at the Box Office. Call 773-935-6875 or visit http://www.eclipsetheatre.com for info.

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

American Blues Theater Seeks New Play Submissions for Blue Ink Playwriting Award

AMERICAN BLUES THEATER seeks submissions for its 2015 playwriting competition. The winning play will be selected by Producing Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside and the theater’s award-winning Ensemble. The winner of this annual competition will be awarded the Blue Ink Playwriting Award of $1,000 and receive a staged-reading at American Blues Theater in Chicago.

There is a $5 administrative fee. Please follow these guidelines in preparing your manuscript:
1. This contest is restricted to plays written in the English language. Worldwide submissions are accepted.
2. Submissions must be original, unpublished full-length plays written in English. Translations, musicals, and children’s plays are not accepted.
3. Playwrights may submit only one (1) manuscript per year.
4. Plays that have been professionally produced or published are not eligible. Plays that have had a workshop, reading, or non-professional production will be considered.
5. Plays may not be under option or scheduled for professional production or publication at the time of submission.
6. American Blues Theater reserves the Right-of-First-Refusal to produce the World-premiere of the winning manuscript for one (1) year beginning on date of the public announcement in March 2015.
7. Plays must be sent as a Word document or pdf file to blueink@americanbluestheater.com.
8. You may pay online, send a personal or cashier’s check, or cash. You will receive notification of your completed submission—both manuscript and payment—via e-mail. If paying by mail, send the $5 administrative fee to: American Blues Theater, 1016 N. Dearborn, Chicago, IL 60610.
9. Include your contact information (including address, phone number, and e-mail address) and a brief biography.

Submissions for the 2015 competition must be submitted no earlier than July 1, 2014 and no later than September 1, 2014. American Blues Theater reserves the right to reject any manuscript for any reason.
American Blues Theater reserves the right to not choose a winner for any given year of the competition and reserves the right to determine the ineligibility of a winner, in keeping with the spirit of the competition, and based upon the accomplishments of the author.

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

August Space Rental Availability at Profiles Theatre

Profiles Theatre has a great last minute opening for rental of their Alley Stage at an incredible price for August. Prime time and off or late night available. 65 seats, lights, sound and tech included and fully air conditioned. Call 773-549-1815 for more information.