Tuesday, March 29, 2016

A Space to Dream: A panel exploring diversity in the arts


Presented by the 2015-2016 Steppenwolf Multicultural Fellows

April 23, 2016
1:00-2:00 PM
758 W. North Avenue, 2nd floor
Light refreshments will be provided

Join us as we explore the state of diversity and equity in our theatre community. This panel examines existing diversity initiatives while diving into what we can do to improve equity and inclusion in all aspects of our industry. We hope to clarify and define our idea of how theatre is made when everyone is equally represented.

Featured Panelists Include:
Christina Bourné, Director of Education, Auditorium Theatre
Isaac Gomez, Literary Manager, Victory Gardens Theater
Kamal Hans, Producing Artistic Director, Rasaka Theatre Company
Dexter Zollicoffer, Diversity Advisor, The Theatre School at DePaul University

RSVP to stcfellows@steppenwolf.org

DirectorsLab Announces 2016 Lab



Eleventh annual Lab to take place in August and center around communication

Artistic Director and co-founder Elizabeth Margolius is pleased to announce the 2016 DirectorsLabChicago to be held Sunday, August 21, through Friday, August 26, primarily at the Chicago Cultural Center. The theme for this year’s Lab is un/spoken: The Language of the Stage.

Now in its twelfth year, DirectorsLabChicago offers environments in which emerging and established directors from around the world are able to consider, challenge, and engage in both the traditional and contemporary aspects of their craft. Past themes have included Investigating Adaptation and Devised Work, International Influence on American Theatre, and The Power of Myth and Ritual.

As in years past, the Lab will consist of workshops and panel discussions with master artists, peer-led workshops, and visits to various Chicago productions.

Margolius founded DirectorsLabChicago along with Artistic Director Emeritus Karin Shook as a result of their experience with the Lincoln Center Theater Directors Lab in New York City. In its first eleven years the Chicago Lab has hosted 188 attendees (32 from outside the United States), 128 presenters and panelists, and 13 college interns.

DirectorsLabChicago is very generously supported by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, in partnership with the Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture, the Lincoln Center Theater Directors Lab in New York, and the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.

More information about this year’s theme and access to the online application portal are available at www.directorslabchicago.com/this-years-lab. Applications will be accepted through Sunday, May 22.

Questions about the Lab may be directed to Margolius at elizabeth@directorslabchicago.com, or Director of Programming Wm. Bullion at billy@directorslabchicago.com.

LPCC is Seeking Theatres to Host Play Readings and Low Tech Performances

Lincoln Park Cultural Center (LPCC) is a hub for arts and culture in the heart of Lincoln Park. LPCC is looking to host play readings and low-tech performances in its beautiful auditorium, which seats roughly 50 people. For more information, contact Chicago Park District Cultural Liaison Danielle Littman at Danielle.Littman@ChicagoParkDistrict.com.

Industry Ticket Offers

Jabari Dreams of Freedom - Chicago Children's Theatre at Ruth Page, 1016 N. Dearborn, is offering $15 industry tickets on Saturday, April 9 at 6pm using promo code INDUSTRY.

New Country - New Country Productions at The Den Theatre,1333 N. Milwaukee, is offering a limited number of free industry tickets for Thursday 3/31 @ 7:30pm, Friday 4/1 @ 7:30pm, Saturday 4/2 @ 4:30pm&7:30pm, Sunday 4/3 @ 6pm . Email newcountryplay@gmail.com to redeem. For more info visit www.NewCountryThePlay.com.

Blood Wedding - Lookingglass Theatre, 821 N. Michigan Ave. is offering $20 Tickets to select performances Friday, April 1 at 7:30PM and Friday, April 8 at 7:30PM. Use code INDUSTRY* to receive the discount. Available online at lookingglasstheatre.org or by calling the Box Office at 312-337-0665. *Please do not share discount code publicly.

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Summer Performance Space Availability at Under the Gun Theater

This summer we will be offering our stage on Sunday and Wednesday nights to outside theater companies. We have a large stage, nearly 100 seats, a full bar, LED light system and a professional sound system.

 Here are the time slots available most nights in June, July or August:
 Wednesdays at 7:30pm
Wednesdays at 9:00pm
Sundays at 6:00pm
 Sundays at 7:30pm
 Sundays at 9:00pm

Click here for more info and to apply. If you have questions, contact Angie McMahon at angie@undertheguntheater.com.

City Lit Seeks Submissions for Art of Adaptation Festival

City Lit Theater Company seeks submissions to The Art of Adaptation The ninth annual festival of stage adaptations of non-dramatic literature

$500 Cash Prize

City Lit Theater will present The Art of Adaptation festival on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, July 15, 16, 17, 2016 and is currently soliciting for pieces for the festival.

City Lit staff will select 6 to 10 adaptations, each of which are given two performances over the course of the weekend with performances on Friday and Saturday night and a marathon of all pieces on Sunday. A panel of judges will view the Sunday performances and award a $500 cash prize to the adaptor of the piece judged the best of the festival. The Art of Adaptation takes place at City Lit Theater, in the historic Edgewater Presbyterian Church building at 1020 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue.

To submit a proposal for entry into the festival, send a .pdf copy of your adaptation script to Katy Nielsen at AofA@citylit.org. Proposals must be submitted no later than May 16. Selections will be announced by May 30.

For over thirty-six years, City Lit Theater has been “dedicated to the vitality and accessibility of the literary imagination. City Lit produces theatrical adaptations of literary material, scripted plays by language-oriented playwrights, and original material."

THE RULES:
1. The piece must be 20 minutes or less. If it exceeds the 20-minute limit, it will not be eligible for the prize.
2. The piece must be an adaptation of non-dramatic material—a short story, an essay, a memoir, poetry, an excerpt from a novel, a video game, and so forth; but not material from a play.
3. The piece must be a world premiere adaptation.
4. The adaptor is responsible for any royalties that are due for the piece, as well as for any rehearsal or production expenses. City Lit does not provide rehearsal space prior to tech rehearsal, and does not provide the services of a director or any actors.
5. The piece submitted must be the piece performed - no drastic changes can be made to the script after it is accepted.
6. Each piece selected will be performed on the same simple festival set with the same simple light plot. A stock of furniture will be provided. The adaptor is responsible for all scenic elements, furniture, costumes, etc.
7. City Lit has a stock of furniture, costumes and props that is available to adaptors. Adaptors must provide a $20 deposit for any stock used. The deposit will be returned in full when all items are properly returned.
8. City Lit will provide the performance space, festival stage lighting, backstage and front-of-house crew, publicity, programs, tickets and the $500 cash prize.

Monday, March 21, 2016

Industry Ticket Offers

Nothing of Me - Akvavit Theatre, 1802 Berenice Ave. is offering $10 industry tickets Thursdays 8pm and Sundays 3pm through April 3rd. Tickets are available at the door or can be reserved ahead of time by emailing info@akvavittheatre.org.

Moby Dick: The Brotherhood of the Monastic Order of Ancient Mariners Purges the Ills of Society through a Reading of the Tales of Moby-Dick - Blair Thomas and Co. at the MCA, 220 E. Chicago Ave. is making an exclusive offer to LOCT members: $15 industry tickets valid Thursday March 31 and Friday April 1 . To purchase mention code LOCT and call the MCA box office 312.397.4010 or purchase online.  Limited two tickets per purchase and subject to availability.

Comedy in Chicago: The Canary in the Coal Mine


Tuesday, April 5 8:00pm at ComedySportz Chicago
RSVP HERE: http://bit.ly/CatharsisComedy
Limited seats available – please RSVP

On this evening Dr. Gail Stern, the co-founder of Catharsis Productions will present "The Canary in the Coal Mine” for theatre owners, comedy club staff members, and other vital members of the Chicago improv and comedy community.

This is NOT your standard boring presentation about good and bad and pointing fingers. This is a highly entertaining, funny, inclusive hour where your mindset is challenged and your ideas about the culture of sexual harassment will be put to the test.

We hope you can join us. Together we can change this community for the better, the way we know best- by using our sense of humor.

About Catharsis Productions
Leveraging 25 years of advocacy experience and over 40 years’ worth of program development and delivery, we bring a profound passion to reducing interpersonal violence through live education. All our programs incorporate the strategic use of humor to engage and challenge audiences as well as dynamic interactive discussion to get audiences to be self-reflective in the often unexamined attitudes that can keep us from supporting victims of interpersonal violence and holding perpetrators accountable. Learn more.

About Dr. Gail Stern
Dr. Gail Stern is the co-founder and Chief Academic Officer of Catharsis Productions and a subject matter expert, educator and curriculum developer. With a background in stand up comedy and improv Dr. Stern wrote her dissertation about the use of Humor to Reframe Rape as a Moral Issue. Dr. Stern is a dynamic, compelling speaker who combines her academic research with her experience in both victim advocacy and stand-up comedy. See her recent appearance on ABC Nightline here.

Friday, March 18, 2016

Improvisation for Communication: Going Beyond Business as Usual

Wednesday, March 23, 6-8 p.m. in Lakeview
CSz Business, in association with global educational company General Assembly, will present the professional workshop “Improvisation for Communication: Going Beyond Business as Usual” on Wednesday, March 23, 6-8 p.m., at CSz Theater Chicago, 929 W. Belmont in Lakeview. Tickets are FREE, but reservations are required at http://tinyurl.com/cszbusiness.

Companies need creative ways to solve challenges, stand out in a saturated marketplace, and leverage networks to create new opportunities for fun and profitable projects. Come learn professional improvisation curriculum on how to approach networking, personal branding, and presentations in a very different way than “business as usual.”

Improvisation is more than just being funny; it’s a way to connect with others in any situation, from a networking event to a presentation to working on a team and building relationships. During this event, participants will perform group improv exercises to create meaningful connections, and learn how the fun can apply to daily life. Attendees will walk away with new strategies to grow careers and build businesses, including:
 • Learn and implement the famous “Yes, AND…” rule of improv to navigate communications
• Express clear visions to create collaboration and master listening skills for connection
• Leverage storytelling to build powerful marketing messages and increase productivity

The workshop will be facilitated by CSz’s Artistic Director Pad Connelly and CSz Chicago’s Creative Sales Director Greg Werstler. Connelly has been performing and teaching improvisation in Chicago since 2001. He currently teaches at the iO Theater Training Center and the CSz Chicago School of Professional Improvisation, and, in addition to ComedySportz, regularly performs with the long-running Chicago staple Baby Wants Candy: The Improvised Musical.

Werstler is also a board member and Director of Special Education Programs for Meeting Planners International, Chicago Area Chapter, and past board member and current communications committee member for the Chicago Chapter of the International Special Events Society. He has been working in the theater and entertainment fields for more than 20 years, emceeing, managing teams and helping clients build memorable events. On stage and in business, Werstler builds ensembles: www.linkedin.com/in/gregwerstler.

CSz Theater Chicago is located at 929 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago, IL 60657. Transportation options include Belmont El stop (Red, Brown, Purple lines); self-park paid lot at 3130 N. Sheffield, paid street parking; Divvy bike station on Belmont and Wilton; SpotHero.com (enter code “Comedy10” to receive $10 off). Handicapped accessible. CSz Theater Chicago is part of the Belmont Theater District and offers a full service bar with snacks and no drink minimum. Information is at 773-549-8080 and www.CSzChicago.com ComedySportz is comedy for everyone.

Thursday, March 17, 2016

Arts & Innovation Series Presents: What the Business Community Can Learn from the Theater Community

What the Business Community Can Learn from the Theater Community
Thu, Apr 7 at 5:30pm
Logan Center, Performance Penthouse / Free, RSVP recommended.
Register Here.

As part of the Arts & Innovation Series, representatives from local nonprofit and for profit Chicago theaters will share their thoughts on their business models, discussing successes, failures, questions, and choices, and offering insight into how businesses can build community.

Panelists will include David Schmitz of Steppenwolf Theatre; Erica Daniels and Kerry Sheehan from The Second City; and Les Coney, Life Trustee and Former Board Chairman at the Goodman Theatre. Frank Sennett, Director of Digital Strategy and Custom Media at Crain’s Chicago Business will serve as moderator.
Presented by the Logan Center and the Chicago Innovation Exchange.

NET Chicago National Symposium Registration is Open!



Join NET in Chicago for
Intersection: Ensembles + Universities
May 20-22, 2016
Presented by NET in partnership with Columbia College Chicago and the League of Chicago Theatres.

Register today! Discounted early registration until March 31st!

Intersection: Ensembles + Universities is a national symposium on ensemble creation and collaborative practice. The symposium is the 2nd in a series of NET events that explore and develop connections between professional ensembles and colleges, universities, and training programs.

Sessions will include participatory workshops, roundtables, collaborative skill-shares, interactive lectures/demos, curated panels, media screenings, and performances that focus investigation and discussion on the following themes:
• Art + University + Community
• Movement + Physical Theater Approaches
• Navigating the Academy/Industry Relationship
• Place
• Cultural Pluralism, Equity, Access + Inclusion
• Technology + Innovation

Who should come?
Theater and interdisciplinary artists, practitioners, producers, scholars, educators, teaching artists, students...anyone intrigued by or passionate about collaborative artmaking, the theory and practice of collective creation, or the vitality of the ensemble sector.

Visit NET's website for more event details and register today!

Monday, March 14, 2016

Industry Ticket Offers

Adding Machine: A Musical - The Hypocrites present at The Den Theatre's Heath Main Stage, 1329 N. Milwaukee Ave. is offering $10 industry tickets to any preview performance Mar 18 through Mar 26 when you use code 'industry10'. $18 industry tickets are available to any performance April 1 through May 15 when you use code 'industry18'. Buy online at www.the-hypocrites.com.

Marc Salem’s Mind Over Chicago - The Apollo Theater, 2540 N. Lincoln, is offering Industry tix thru April 10th. Discount good on Friday & Sunday shows only. Regularly $50, tickets are $15 with code INDUSTRY. www.apollochicago.com or 773.935.6100.

Fooling Buddha - First Folio Theatre at Mayslake Hall, Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W 31st St, Oak Brook, is offering $10 tickets to industry professionals on Weds. evenings at 8 PM on March 23, 30, April 6, 13, Thurs. evening at 8 PM on March 24, and Thursday matinees at 3 PM on April 7, 14. Tickets are on an "as available" basis and may be purchased no sooner than 48 hours in advance and must be paid for at the time they are ordered. When picking up tickets, buyer must bring a union card, a headshot/resume, tech resume, or business card indicating employment in the theater business. Price is good for the theater professional only, not guests. Tickets may be purchased by calling 630-986-8067.

Hillary and Clinton - Victory Gardens Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue, is offering $15 industry tickets to all preview performances (April 1-7) with code INDUSTRY. Buy online at victorygardens.org or 773-871-3000.

Friday, March 11, 2016

Rehearsal Space Available May- June at City Lit Theater

$15 per hour or better for longer term rentals. Large rehearsal room approximately 15' x 15'.

OFF-NIGHTS/LATE NIGHT THEATER SPACE AVAILABLE NOW THROUGH SUMMER

Seating capacity 99. Thrust configuration.

City Lit is located at 1020 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, inside the historic Edgewater Presbyterian Church building. We are a block and a half from the Bryn Mawr Red Line stop and on five different CTA bus routes. Parking arrangements with three restaurants all within one block of theater.

Contact Joan Mazzonelli at 773-293-3682 or jmazzonelli@citylit.org

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

AAAE Wallace Foundation Student Forum

Monday, March 28, 2016 from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM (CDT)
The Theatre School at DePaul University
2350 North Racine Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614

The Association of Arts Administration Educators (AAAE), the international academic association for arts administration/management programs is partnering with The Wallace Foundation to host a series of forums for students and young professionals in Chicago, Seattle and Philadelphia. These forums are an opportunity for students to hear from local arts leaders on their efforts to develop best practices around building arts audiences. In Chicago, on March 28, representatives from Steppenwolf Theatre Company and Lyric Opera will share insights about their efforts and will take questions from students and professors. This is a fantastic and unique opportunity to hear about what’s worked, lessons learned, and more in a small-scale setting where dialogue and learning is encouraged. A reception will follow and give attendees an opportunity to mix and mingle with each other and the presenters.

Students from all of the Chicago-based AAAE member programs including DePaul University, Columbia College, the School of the Art Institute, and Northwestern University as well as young professionals from the League of Chicago’s Theatre Intern Network are invited to participate in this Forum. The event will also be archived on the AAAE website for future instructor and student use.

5:30-5:45 Welcome, Overview of evening and introductions
5:45-6:05 Overview of Steppenwolf Project
6:05-6:25 Overview of Lyric Opera Project
6:25-6:40 Forum Moderator ask questions of Steppenwolf and Lyric Opera
6:40-7:00 Students ask questions of Steppenwolf and Lyric Opera
7:00-7:30 Reception

Click Here to Register.

Monday, March 7, 2016

Industry Ticket Offers

The Laugh Out Loud Tour - UP Comedy Club 230 W. North Ave is offering $10 industry tickets to the March 9, 16, 23 and 30 Wednesday at 8pm performances with the code: LOUD. Call the Box Office 312-662-4562 to claim your tickets. Limit 2 per order. Subject to availability.

Butler - Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd. is offering $15 Industry Tickets available in person only starting 2 hours before performances 3/11-4/17. Must provide proof of industry. Limit 2 tickets per Industry ID (self + guest). Subject to availability. Excludes Premium seats and opening night 3/18.

The Hound of the Baskervilles - Idle Muse Theatre Company at Edge Theater, 5451 N Broadway St, is offering $10 Industry Tickets on March 10th, 17th, 24th, & 31st at 8pm. Tickets available at www.IdleMuse.org and select "Industry". Tickets subject to availability.

Thursday, March 3, 2016

Douglas Tonks Memorial Service

Please join us to celebrate the life of A.R. Douglas Tonks (April 19, 1960 – March 1, 2016) on Saturday, March 5, 2016. Doors open at 11:00 with a short program of memories and love beginning at 12:00. For those of you who are unable to attend in person please take a moment at 12:00 (Central) to remember the amazing life of Douglas and perhaps say a prayer, check out a comic book or play some of his favorite music, knowing that you'll be part of the gathering to honor and celebrate his life.

Date: Saturday, March 5
Time: 11:00am
Location: Unity in Chicago, 1925 W. Thome Avenue, Chicago, IL 60626

In lieu of flowers please feel free to make a donation in honor of Douglas to either Stockyards Theatre Project – www.stockyardstheatreproject.org
6549 North Ashland Ave.1S
Chicago, IL 60626
or
The American Heart Association - https://donatenow.heart.org/

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

2016 MetLife Nuestras Voces National Playwriting Competition

Online submissions now being accepted for FULL LENGTH LATINO STAGE PLAYS (In Spanish or English or both!)

Guidelines: http://repertorio.nyc/#/opportunities
Time stamped Deadline: Wednesday, June 1, 2016. (Time stamped)

MISSION: To promote and develop original stage plays that relate to Latino life, culture and history in the United States and to encourage emerging and established Latino playwrights.

NUESTRAS NEWS
Winners (2015):
1st Place: Blindspot by Gerardo CĂ¡rdenas Oak Park, IL
2nd Place: Johanna by Tlaloc Rivas Pittsburgh, PA
3rd Place (tie): AshĂ© by Ricardo PĂ©rez GonzĂ¡lez NY, NY
Los Klumb by Puy Navarro NY, NY
Impure Thoughts (without apology) by Ken Prestininzi Groton, CT

A reading series of these plays will be held at Repertorio Español in June 2016.

2014 Winner La Senorita 744890 by Mariana Careño King opened on February 5th at Repertorio Español.

2014 runner – up The Ghosts of Lote Bravo by Hilary Bettis will have its World Premiere at Borderland Stages in Tucson, AZ in April 2016.