Monday, February 29, 2016

Industry Ticket Offers

Beyond the Score – The Chicago Symphony Orchestra, 220 S. Michigan Ave, is offering $15 industry tickets to Beyond the Score: Fire and Freedom: Janáček in Life and Music on Friday, March 11 at 7:30 pm. Witness the gripping inspirations behind composer Leoš Janáček’s thrilling Taras Bulba and playful The Cunning Vixen, told through stunning visual imagery and virtuosic performances by musicians of the CSO. Use promo code BTS$15 at cso.org or call 312-294-3000.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater – Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress Parkway, is offering $25 industry tickets for performances March 8-10. Use code INDUSTRY. Tickets available online at AuditoriumTheatre.org or at the box office at 50 E Congress Pkwy. Limit 2 tickets.

Long Day’s Journey into Night – Court Theatre, 5535 South Ellis Ave. is offering complimentary tickets for the first preview on Thursday, March 10th @ 7:30pm. Please fill out this link RSVP NOW to reserve your tickets. Limited availability.

Cocked - Victory Gardens Biograph Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave. is offering $15 industry tickets to any performance through March 12th when you use the code INDUSTRY. Buy online at http://www.victorygardens.org.

A Phase - Broken Nose Theatre at The Den Theatre, 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave. is offering industry pay-what-you-can tickets through March 26. All Performances are Pay-What-You-Can, so you can set your own ticket price HERE.

Rolling - Jackalope Theatre at the Broadway Armory, 5917 N. Broadway, is offering $10 industry tickets on Monday 3/28 and $15 tickets to every other show through April 2. No code needed.

The Explorers Club - Windy City Playhouse at 3014 W Irving Park Rd is offering $15 industry house tickets to any Wednesday or Thursday performance March 3rd to April 17th when you use code INDUSTRY. Buy online at www.windycityplayhouse.com.

Marc Salem’s Mind Over Chicago - The Apollo Theater, 2540 N. Lincoln, is offering Industry tix thru March 27th: Fridays @ 8pm or Sundays @ 3:30 & 7pm. Regularly $50, tickets are $15 with code INDUSTRY. www.apollochicago.com or 773.935.6100.

Thursday, February 25, 2016

Writers Theatre Industry Open House


Monday, February 29th | 6pm-9pm
325 Tudor Court, Glencoe
Writers Theatre has opened the doors to its new building and wants you to come see it! We are hosting an industry open house to provide you an opportunity to experience our new venue. Any industry colleagues are welcome. Light appetizers and beverages will be provided. RSVP is required. RSVP >>

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Industry Ticket Offers

Far From Heaven - Porchlight Music Theatre at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. is offering industry tickets for $19.50 Thursday, Feb. 25 - Sunday, Feb, 28. Use the code 1950Thurs (Thursday) and 1950 (Friday-Sunday) to get tickets for only $19.50. 2 ticket max per order. Cannot be combined with other discounted tickets. Only a limited amount tickets per performance so it's first come, first serve. Other fees may apply upon purchase via phone (773.327.5252) or website.

Waking Lazarus - Prologue Theatre Co. at Hairpin Arts Centre, 2810 N. Milwaukee, is offering $20 Industry tickets on March 6 at 3pm, Tickets available at wakinglazarus.brownpapertickets.com with code word GOSPEL. In celebration of International Women's day 3/8 all tickets on Thursday March 10 will be $20 with the code CELEBRATION.

Julius Caesar - Brown Paper Box Co. at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln is offering $10 Industry Nighton - Monday, March 7, 2016 @ 7:30pm. No code needed! For the rest of the run through April 3: Industry ($15 tickets; please bring head shot, resume, or other proof of industry): promo code INDUSTRY http://greenhousetheater.org/julius-caesar/.

2666 - Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn, is offering a $15 industry rate tickets on weeknights Tuesday-Thursday with the code 2666INDUSTRY. For tickets and more information visit www.goodmantheatre.org.

The Old Friends – Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark Street, is offering $15 tickets to theatre industry professionals for any Thursday or Friday evening performance thru March 26. Offer available by phone or walk-up, must mention the code INDUSTRY to reserve. Proof of industry (headshot, business card, etc.) required upon ticket pickup.

Grand Stage Open House and New Product Demonstration

Friday March 11th 4:00-8:00PM – New Product Reception
Saturday March 12th 10:00AM-3:00PM – Open House and Seminars

Grand Stage and Chicago Spotlight would like to invite the members of the League of Chicago Theatres to an Open House at our new main location at 3418 N Knox Ave Chicago, IL 60641 on Friday March 11th and Saturday March 12th. We have been really busy combining our operations and moving and now we would like to show off our new digs to you. On Friday evening we will be hosting a New Product reception featuring green LED offerings from Altman, ETC, and Philips Entertainment along with new controls products from Pathway Connectivity. The Festivities continue on Saturday from 10:00AM-3:00PM as we continue with new product demonstrations and will also offer two educational seminars. We will be presenting two of our Technical Theatrical Skills Workshops: Integrating LED technology in your facility and the other in knot tying along with basic curtain repair tips. These sessions are targeted to students and working professionals alike.

For more information, please visit our website at http://grandstage.com/openhouse.html or with specific questions and to RSVP please email Hope Kass at hkass@grandstage.com.

Rehearsal and Production Availability at Corn Productions

Corn Productions, or the Cornservatory, is located at 4210 N. Lincoln avenue and has availability from June 5th - June 26th.

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.

Friday, February 19, 2016

Michael Merrit Awards Seeks Recommendations

Chicago’s Michael Merritt Awards celebrate excellence and collaboration in design and technical theatre. The Awards are seeking recommendations theatre makers.

Who are the award worthy designers and technicians you have been collaborating with this season?

Please take a moment now to submit your recommendations at:

merrittawards.com/recommendations

Don't delay, the recommendation window will close on next Tuesday February 23rd.

Thursday, February 18, 2016

Funding Resources Available for Members of the Entertainment Industry

Season of Concern shares office space in Chicago with The Actors Fund's Central Region office. If illness or injury has deprived you or someone you know in Chicago's theater or performing arts community of the ability to meet basic living expenses like food and rent, please contact either of our organizations for more information about the services and assistance described below:

 To download a copy of the revised guidelines, click here.

  The Biscotto-Miller Fund
Chicago's theater community was deeply struck by the losses of actor J. Pat Miller and stage manager Tom Biscotto to AIDS in the early 80's. The very first outspoken AIDS victims in our community, the tragedies of their deaths brought us together to stand up, speak out, and fight back.

The Biscotto-Miller fund began with a small fundraising effort by J. Pat and Tommy's theater friends - collecting from each other to build a cash fund that they distributed to others in need. Now, over thirty years later, the Biscotto-Miller fund exists as the only private grant given directly by Season Of Concern to local artists in need. Throughout the year, confidential Biscotto-Miller grants are awarded on an as-needed basis to cover short-term emergency costs such as medication, food, and rent for members of our community suffering from debilitating illness of any kind. Social service assessment and case management for The Biscotto-Miller Fund are provided by the Central Region office of The Actors Fund.

If you or someone you know may be eligible for the Biscotto-Miller Fund, please contact either info@seasonofconcern.org or Steven Haught shaught@actorsfund.org (case manager for The Biscotto-Miller Fund) at The Actors Fund, Central Region office.

The Actors Fund
The Actors Fund is a nonprofit, nationwide human services organization providing programs that support the unique, essential needs of all who work in entertainment and the performing arts - on stage or camera and behind the scenes. The Actors Fund assists those working in theater, film, television, radio, music, dance, opera and circus. The Fund is a safety net, offering quality services for and individual attention to our community, giving all a responsive place to turn in times of need or crisis.

The Actors Fund offers a broad spectrum of programs including comprehensive social services, health care services, employment and training and housing. Administered through their offices in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, these programs help people solve problems and make positive changes in their lives.

All Actors Fund services are completely confidential. Eligibility varies by program.

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Industry Ticket Offers

Marc Salem’s Mind Over Chicago - The Apollo Theater, 2540 N. Lincoln, is offering Industry tix for all February performances: Sat Feb 20th 5pm & 8pm, Sun Feb 28th @ 3:30pm & 7pm, and Mon Feb 29th @ 7:30pm. Regularly $50, Tickets are $10 with code INDUSTRY. www.apollochicago.com or 773.935.6100.

All My Sons - Montana Repertory Theatre at McAninch Arts Center (425 Fawell Blvd. Glen Ellyn, IL) is offering $10 Industry tickets on Saturday, March 5 at 7:30pm. Use code 10TIX. Visit AtTheMAC.org for tickets and more details.

Beautiful Autistic - Chicago Dramatists, 1105 W. Chicago Ave. is offering $15 industry tickets to Thursday performances through March 13. Tickets can be purchased day-of-show at the box office. For more information visit www.chicagodramatists.org.

I've Got the World on a String: Harold Arlen's Songs of Love and Loss - City Lit Theater, at 1020 West Bryn Mawr in the historic Edgewater Presbyterian Church, is offering $15 industry tickets for performances from March 4th through April 10th. Performs Friday-Sunday plus Monday 3/21, 3/28, and 4/4. For tickets go to www.citylit.org and use the code INDUSTRY. Or phone 773-293-3682 and mention INDUSTRY.

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Space Rental Availability at City Lit for May/June 2016

City Lit has rehearsal space available in May and June of 2016. Good for both long and short term rehearsals. Large space approximately 575 square feet. Great rates depending on length of rehearsal. Contact jmazzonelli@citylit.org or call at 773-293-3682 for more information.

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

My America Too Screening and Panel Discussion


Sat, Feb 20th 12:00pm
Gene Siskel Film Center of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago
164 N. State Street | Chicago, IL 60601
Buy Tickets 

Ten writers were commissioned, by Baltimore’s Center Stage Theatre, to create plays set around the kitchen table, inspired by recent events in communities like Sanford, FL; Cleveland, OH; Ferguson, MO; Staten Island, NY; Baltimore, MD; and Charleston, SC. Six of the plays were filmed as pieces of street theater, guerrilla-style, at pivotal locations across the country bringing into searing focus topics that face Chicago today. Playwrights include Chicago’s Lydia R. Diamond as well as Larissa FastHorse, Neil LaBute, Kenneth Lin, Elyzabeth Gregory Wilder, and Kwame Kwei-Armah and Hana Sharif.

Chicago Director/Filmmaker Derrick Sanders will host this event with a panel on the Chicago’s Hope for Reform after the screening. Joining the panel will be Baltimore Center Stage Artistic Director Kwame Kwei-Armah.

Monday, February 8, 2016

Chicago Directors Town Hall


Moderated discussion around the topic of selecting season content the first of a new series presented by the recently expanded DLC

DirectorsLabChicago is pleased to announce a Directors Town Hall, co-hosted in conjunction with Victory Gardens Theater, on Monday, February 22 at 7:00 p.m. The moderated conversation will focus on the topic “Choosing Seasons: How do current events influence play selection?”

Relevant to current and aspiring directors and artistic directors, the discussion will explore topics such as:
• How do current events attract you to certain projects?
• How do you plan years in advance yet stay current?
• How can a topical play be given enough time and space to develop, yet stay current?

The event is free, but advance registration is required at directorslabchicago.com/choosing-seasons. There will be a cash bar. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. for informal gathering, and the town hall discussion begins at 7:30.

Victory Gardens Biograph Theater is located at 2433 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago.

For questions or more information about the event, email Director of Programming Wm. Bullion at billy@directorslabchicago.com.

Choosing Seasons is the first of a new series of events to be hosted by the recently expanded DLC. After celebrating its tenth anniversary season, the DLC replaced its 2015 Lab with a vision retreat for Chicago theatre luminaries to explore the Lab’s direction for the next 10 years and beyond.

Shortly after the retreat, DLC welcomed back committee member Wm. Bullion into a new role as Director of Programming, and introduced new member Tobi Mattingly as Director of Marketing & Communications. A larger announcement of the 2016 Lab and additional future events is forthcoming.

Industry Ticket Offers

New industry ticket offers added this week. For a complete list of industry ticket offers available click here

Marnie & Phil: A Circus Love Letter - The Actors Gymnasium at Noyes Cultural Center, 927 Noyes St., Evanston is offering $10 industry tickets on February 19 & 20 with code INDUSTRYWEEKEND. Snap up your tickets here. If you can't make it to Industry Weekend but still want to see the show, a 10% off INDUSTRY code is available for every other performance (excluding February 13) through March 20.

Der Rosenkavalier - Lyric Opera, 20 N. Wacker Dr. is offering $29 industry tickets to performances of Strauss's lavish romantic comedy on February 8, February 16, or March 7 at 6:30pm. Access $29 tickets online with promo code INDUSTRY.

The Glass Menagerie - The Hypocrites present at The Den Theatre's Heath Main Stage, 1329 N. Milwaukee Ave. is offering $18 industry tickets to any performance February 11 through March 6 when you use code 'industry18'. Buy online at www.the-hypocrites.com.

Chicago Revealed – Thodos Dance Chicago, is offering $15 tickets for upcoming performances February 20, 7:30pm at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie and March 5, 7:30pm at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance. Use code TDCINDUSTRY online when purchasing tickets.

Looking Over the President's Shoulder - American Blues Theater at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln, is offering a limited number of Industry tickets for the February 15 performance. Tickets are $10 with code and include a pizza reception following the performance. Discounted tickets are available by using code LIGHT online at AmericanBluesTheater.com or by calling 773-404-7336.

Intersection 2016 Chicago: Request for Proposals



PROPOSAL SOLICITATION INFORMATION — WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR:
The Network of Ensemble Theaters will present a national Symposium in Chicago from May 20-22, 2016, in partnership with Columbia College Chicago and the League of Chicago Theatres.

NET is soliciting a wide range of presentation formats and modes for the Symposium, including performative papers, interactive lectures/demos, curated panels, performance-based events, participatory workshops, roundtables, working sessions, collaborative skill-shares, etc. We encourage hybrid and boundary-breaking presentation forms that blend and/or move between theory and practice in creative ways.

Proposed presentations should investigate the broadly construed field of Ensemble Pedagogy (focusing on co-creation/collective creation and collaborative practice in any performance discipline, not limited to theater), and should fit within one or more of the Symposium’s three thematic program tracks:

Art + University + Community
Topics might include, but are not limited to: applied theater; civic & social practice; collaborations & partnerships (between departments, artists/arts organizations, non-arts-based partners, or other community organizations); community engagement; creative placemaking; devising; site-specific work; theater for social change.

Movement + Physical Theater Approaches
Topics might include, but are not limited to: contemporary circus; collaboration & partnerships (cross-departmental, etc.); dance; devising; movement; interdisciplinary performance; physical theater.

Navigating the Academy/Industry Relationship
Topics might include, but are not limited to: building & gathering institutional support for a new university-based ensemble program; collaborations & partnerships (between departments and with non-affiliated artists or arts organizations); ensembles as university-based artists-in-residence or guest artists; industry-focused field research; internships/fellowships; ongoing professional development; support for new graduates/young professionals; techniques for teaching devised work; touring to/presenting by universities.

To focus the discourse, we are particularly (but not exclusively) interested in proposals that include one or more of the following lenses in their exploration of the track theme(s):

Place.
We encourage presentations which highlight place-based work and the specifics of particular geographic communities. Preference will given to proposals that involve the participation of (and/or focus on work by) local Chicago-area artists, scholars, and practitioners where possible.

Cultural Pluralism, Equity, Access, and Inclusion.
As an organization that champions ensemble practice and collaborative creation, NET is committed to the equitable access, inclusion, and full participation of a community made up of multiple and diverse voices. We celebrate a holistic vision of equity and of cultural pluralism that honors diversity of place, race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexuality, physical/mental/sensory dis/ability, age of individuals and ensembles, artistic form, aesthetic orientation, class, national origin, religion, language, and cultural heritage. Proposals that share this prioritization will be given preference.

Technology and Innovation.
We’re interested in presentations that share and explore ways that new technologies and innovative tools impact and are integrated into ensemble training, design, performance, audience/community engagement, and access. Possible topics (among many others) might include: the rise of university-based interactive media programs; virtual reality; gaming; use of phone texting or other mobile/cloud technologies; the future of design; technology-enabled virtual collaborations in devising/rehearsing/performing across distance; web-based teaching/learning; digital archiving and livestreaming; etc.

PLEASE NOTE: Proposals that demonstrate authentic intersectionality (by touching on multiple tracks and/or multiple lenses) are a plus!

PROPOSAL SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS — HOW TO APPLY:
Please email proposals containing the following information in .doc or .docx file format to symposium@ensembletheaters.net by TUESDAY MARCH 1, 2016:

Presentation title

Relevant thematic program track (list all that apply): Art + University + Community
Movement + Physical Theater Approaches
Navigating the Academy/Industry Relationship

Relevant lens (list all that apply):
Place
Cultural Pluralism, Equity, Access, and Inclusion
Technology and Innovation

Presentation format/mode
Indicate whether this is a performative paper, interactive lecture/demo, curated panel, performance-based event, participatory workshop, roundtable, working session, collaborative skill-share, or other type of session (please identify). NOTE: Most sessions will be scheduled for 90 minutes. If your proposed session would require a different length of time, please indicate this preferred length in your proposal.

250-word abstract/rationale/proposal description

Names, titles, and organizational affiliations of all involved presenter(s)

Presenter(s)’ biographical information (no more than 100 words per presenter)

Anticipated media, setup, or space needs (please note that support available for these elements will be minimal) Those submitting selected proposals will be notified BY MARCH 15, 2016 to discuss subsequent planning and steps toward realization.

ABOUT THE 2016 INTERSECTION: ENSEMBLES + UNIVERSITIES SYMPOSIUM
Across the country, NET is seeing a rise in ensemble artists working within academia, as well as an increasing inclusion of ensemble practices in curricula and expanding interest in ensemble scholarship and pedagogy. The next generation of ensemble artists is being developed in today’s university-, college-, and company-based programs. The academy has long served as a feeder to the ensemble movement, as groups of graduating students continue to form new ensemble companies, banding together to build on their shared training and experiences.

The 2016 Intersection Symposium is the second in a four-event exploration of the connection between ensembles and colleges/universities/training programs. NET recognizes the already significant interrelationships between academia and ensembles, and hopes through this four-year series to identify ways to serve more intentionally as a resource and connector within and between these sectors. The first Symposium event was held in New York City in October 2014, in collaboration with Eugene Lang College The New School of Liberal Arts, The New School for Drama, and La MaMa. A downloadable version of the 2014 NYC Symposium program can be found at NET’s website.

ABOUT NETWORK OF ENSEMBLE THEATERS (NET):
A national community of artists and arts organizations dedicated to collaborative creation, Network of Ensemble Theaters (NET) exists to propel ensemble theater practice to the forefront of American culture and society. NET links a diverse array of ensembles and practitioners to one another and the performing arts field, encouraging collaborations and knowledge building/dissemination. NET is committed to the advancement of the ensemble form and strives to bring about change in the world beyond ourselves through the transformative power of collaborative theater and ensemble practice. Programs and activities focused on field building, field convenings, and field professional development/resources serve to nurture, sustain, and connect NET’s 350+ individual and organizational members throughout the U.S.

2016 RFP - DOWNLOADABLE PDF VERSION

Thursday, February 4, 2016

Collaboraction's Room 300 Available for Rent from May 9th - May 29th, 2016

Room 300 is a flexible Free-Form Black Box Space. This is a great venue for theatrical performances, rehearsals, special events and includes:
Seating up to 80 (contingent on configuration)
Central Air/Heat.
Lighting and sound equipment.
A Unistrut Grid and move-able Booth and seating Platforms.
A small private dressing room with access to a shared green room.

And is Conveniently located in the heart of Wicker Park where there is plenty of paid and free street parking and close to the Damen Blue Line Stop.

Please email Justin@collaboraction.org for discounted non-profit rates.

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Industry Ticket Offers

New industry ticket offers added this week. For a complete list of industry ticket offers available click here

The Flick - Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted, is offering $30 tickets to the following evening performances: Previews: Feb 4,     Regular Run: Feb 17, 23-26, 28; Mar 1-4.   Use code 23488 online at steppenwolf.org or call Audience Services at 312-335-1650. Tickets must be reserved at least one hour before performance. Subject to availability.

Sunset Baby - TimeLine Theatre Company, 615 W. Wellington Ave. is offering half-priced industry tickets on 2/7 at 2PM, plus Wednesdays at 7:30 and Saturdays at 8PM through April 10. Use code INDUSTRY50 online or by calling 773.281.8463 x6.