Save the Date: SOC Season of Celebration on October 26

Join Season of Concern on Monday, October 26 at Steppenwolf Theatre as they celebrate the legacy of beloved Chicago theatre artists, Tommy Biscotto and Pat Miller, who have inspired thirty years of service to the Chicago theatre community through the Biscotto/Miller Fund. It will be an evening of song and celebration! Details to come soon!

AIDS Run and Walk Chicago

On Saturday, September 26 at Soldier Field, Team Season of Concern will be participating in the AIDS Run & Walk Chicago 2015. We are thrilled to have been selected as one of the Community Direct organizations that raises funds through the AIDS Run & Walk. In short, we are raising money to save lives.

We would love to have as many people on our team as possible, representing the breadth and diversity of the Chicago theatre community! If you are interested in joining Team Season of Concern, please contact Scott Duff at scott@seasonofconcern.org for more information!

This has been a challenging year for our community. Let's come together to honor those lost and celebrate our strength! Interested in sponsoring our team, but you have a little hitch in your giddyap? You can donate your millions by clicking here!

Help us achieve a record breaking year!

A View from the Wings

Click Here to Register!

The Stage Managers' Association is hosting an all-day conference entitled:
A View from the Wings: Panel Discussions and Conversations with Chicago Stage Managers

Saturday, October 17th,  8am to 5pm 
 Steppenwolf Theatre's Yondorf Rehearsal Hall (758 North Ave, 2nd Floor)

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
 8:00am Check In, Registration, Continental Breakfast (provided by Matty K's Hardware on Lincoln Ave)
8:30am Welcome, SMA Organization Overview, Announcements
8:45am Session #1 Panel - "Working in Store Front Type Theatres: You're going to need a bigger tackle box!"
10:00am Break
10:15am Session #2 Panel - "Working Under an AEA CAT (Chicago Area Theatre) Contract"
12:00pm Lunch (provided by Grand Stage Lighting of Chicago)
1:00pm Session #3 - "Services Available to SMs"
2:15pm Break
2:30pm Session #4 - "Round Table Discussion Focused on Career Advice"
3:45pm Break
4:00pm Wrap Up, Networking Pizza Party (provided by the League of Chicago Theatres)
5:00pm End of Day

PANEL DESCRIPTIONS 
“Working in Store Front Type Theatres: You’re going to needed a bigger tackle box!” - Discussion moderated by Ellen Willett with store front stage managers Jennifer Aparicio, Lindsey Miller, Lauren Yarbrough and Stephanie Hurowitz

 “Working Under an Actors' Equity CAT (Chicago Area Theatre) Contract” - Explore what is unique about the contract and how the Tiers differ. Discussion moderated by Mary Hungerford with CAT stage managers Malcolm Ewen, Sara Gammage, Dennis Conners, Nora Mally and Jonathan Nook 

“Services Available to SMs” - Discussion led by Barbara Butts covering The League of Chicago Theatres, Matty K's Hardware, the Non Union Code of Conduct and others.

 "Round Table Discussion Focused on Career Advice" will be led by JoHannah Hail with Stage Managers Nora Mally, Dennis Conners, Nykol Dedreu, and Jeff Williams covering different areas of career advice.

MORE INFORMATION
A continental breakfast is being sponsored by Matty K’s Hardware on Lincoln Ave.
A box lunch will be sponsored by Grand Stage Lighting of Chicago.
A networking pizza party, sponsored by the League of Chicago Theatres, will wrap up the afternoon.
Due to Steppenwolf’s matinee, there is limited parking. The rehearsal hall is located ½ block east of the CTA North & Clybourn Red line stop.

REGISTRATION 
The cost of admission is $15 for all SMA members, $30 for non-member Students and $50 for all other non-member attendees. Non SMA Member admission to the conference will include a 1 year membership to the SMA, with the $25 initiation fee waived.

Click here to register

Art + Nature = HOMES / Tied by Water

Nature called and Moheb Soliman answered. The poet, performance artist, and Joyce Foundation Fellow is tracing the entire Great Lakes coastline by land, from June through October, for his work-in-progress HOMES / Tied by Water. His project focuses on nature, modernity, identity, belonging, and more. When Moheb reaches Chicago, The Joyce Foundation and Silk Road Rising will host a special FREE event, on Sept. 3 at 5:30 pm, with a reception for the artist, followed by a performance and a Q&A. You're invited to this unique discussion intersecting art, environment, and identity. Just reserve your FREE seat here. And in the meantime, check out some photos from Moheb's journey along the Great Lakes >>

Industry Ticket Offers

For a complete list of industry ticket offers available click here. To submit an industry ticket offer for listing email ben@chicagoplays.com.

The Lyons - AstonRep Theatre at the Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark Street is offering $10 industry tickets to any performance through September 27th. Please email info@astonrep.com or call 773-828-9129 to reserve your tickets and mention INDUSTRY. Walk-up industry tickets also available.

The Rainmaker - American Blues Theater at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln, is offering a limited number of $10 Industry tickets for preview performances August 28 - 30. Discounted tickets are available using promo code SNOOKIE online at AmericanBluesTheater.com or by calling 773-404-7336.

How the World Began - Rivendell Theatre - 5779 N. Ridge, invites theatres involved in new play development to a special industry night on Tuesday, September 8th including Libations and Conversations "New Work" networking event at 6:30pm with conversation focused on new play development, the challenges inherent in producing new work and maybe even a little brainstorming session on how we can work together communally to support the production of new work in Chicago, and a performance at 8PM.  Space is available on a first come first serve basis. RSVP to Trisha Hooper by Friday, September 4th at trisha@rivendelltheatre.org or call 773-334-7728.

The Madhatter’s Maritime Ball - Lookingglass Theatre Company is pleased to offer theater industry members a discounted ticket to the most unique fundraiser of the summer: The Madhatter’s Ball on Saturday, August 29, 2015. For the first time ever the event will be held inside the historic Water Works on Michigan Avenue which will be transformed into a nautical wonderland featuring food, drinks, dancing, acrobats, magic, a silent auction and raffle. $45 industry tickets are available via phone only with code INDUSTRY45 at 312-337-0665. Subject to availability. Please do not post this offer on social media. More information about the event at www.lookingglasstheatre.org/madhatters.

Sucker Punch - Victory Gardens Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue, is offering a limited number of $15 (reg. $20-$45) Industry tickets for preview performances September 18-24. Discounted tickets are available using promo code INDUSTRY online at Victorygardens.org or by calling 773-871-3000.

The Price - TimeLine Theatre Company, 615 W. Wellington Ave. is offering $15 industry tickets for any performance through Labor Day with code INDUSTRY15 (subject to availability). For tickets call 773-281-8463 x 6 or visit www.timelinetheatre.com.

September Chicago Green Theatre Alliance Meeting

Thursday, September 24, 2015, 3:30 - 5PM
Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood
Please join us for the the next meeting of the Chicago Green Theatre Alliance! We'll hear updates from the committees and discuss plans for a Fall Textile Drive. Click here to RSVP for the meeting.

Final Week to Submit for Blue Ink 2016

The 2016 Blue Ink Playwriting Award is currently open and will continue accepting submissions through August 31, 2015.

As announced previously, the winning script 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.

The Blue Ink Playwriting Award was created in 2010 to support new work. Previous winners include Jamie Pachino’s Other Than Honorable (2015) Douglas Post’s Comden Mall Community Activists (2014), Elaine Romero’s Graveyard of Empires (2013), Christina Gorman’s American Myth (2012), and Stephanie Walker’s American Home(2011). In addition we’ve named 2 runners up, 13 finalists, and 31 semi-finalists. American Blues Theater gave out $1,500 in cash prizes in 2015.

For submission guidelines click here and more information about American Blues Theater, please visit our website AmericanBluesTheater.com.

Inaugural Chicago MOMENT WORK Training Lab with Tectonic Theater Project

Learn the technique behind The Laramie Project with 2015 Chicago Training Lab Instructors Leigh Fondakowski (writer/director of TimeLine Theatre's upcoming Spill this season) and actress Kelli Simpkins.  Discover Moment Work, Tectonic's groundbreaking method for devised theater developed by Moisés Kaufman and members of Tectonic Theater Project. Moment Work encourages participants to actively engage with the elements of the stage—exploring lights, sound, costumes, movement, character, text, and architecture—to discover their full theatrical potential and inherent poetry. In this innovative and instructive Lab, participants work in an intimate, hands-on intensive to learn the technique used to create award-winning works like The Laramie Project Cyle, Gross Indecency, I Am My Own Wife, One Arm and Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, and guided the performances of Jane Fonda and Tony-winner Jefferson Mays. Moment Work is a technique for theater artists of all backgrounds and specialties to explore new ways to develop work.

CHICAGO DETAILS:
Friday, September 11 • 6:30pm - 10:30pm
Saturday, September 12 • 10am - 6pm
Sunday, September 13 • 10am - 6pm
Lab Fee • $250

Location:
TimeLine Theatre Company 615 W. Wellington Ave. Chicago

REGISTER NOW

Implementing Ideas from the LEAD Conference at your Cultural Space

Chicago Cultural Accessibility Consortium (CCAC) 
Thursday, September 24, 2015 from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM (CDT) 
Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanter Meeting Center 
 220 E. Chicago Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60611
It's back to school time, and that means we're back to work making Chicago's cultural institutions more accessible! In August, many of us will attend the Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability (LEAD) conference hosted by the Kennedy Center in Arlington, VA. We're eager to share information and insight on multiple topics at LEAD. We will offer small group discussions with opportunities to ask questions and join in the conversation. Whether or not you were able to attend LEAD, please participate and help us set goals to make our Chicago area cultural institutions more accessible for people with disabilities. Join us to informally review ideas from LEAD and acquire information on tools and resources to implement new ideas at your cultural institution!
FREE!
Learn more and register

Industry Ticket Offers

American Idiot - The Hypocrites at The Den Theatre's Heath Main Stage, 1329 N. Milwaukee Ave. is offering $10 industry tickets to any preview performance August 28 - September 5, subject to availability, when you use code industry10. Buy online at www.the-hypocrites.com.

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.