Albany Park Theater Project Extends LEARNING CURVE

After selling out the entire month-long run of "Learning Curve" the day tickets went on sale, Albany Park Theater Project (APTP) and Third Rail Projects, in partnership with Goodman Theatre, are extending the world-premiere immersive theater production through October 15. Performances begin as previously announced on July 27 and continue through August 28. After a short end-of-summer break for the show's 31 teen cast members, "Learning Curve" returns for another month-long run from September 16 through October 15. The first large-scale immersive theater production in the country created and performed by a youth ensemble, "Learning Curve" places audiences within the walls of Ellen Gates Starr High School and in the shoes of its students. Tickets for the new dates go on sale July 6. Tickets for July 27 through August 28 are sold out; visit aptp.org to inquire about joining the waitlist for specific performances. Press performances take place July 31 and August 1.

Performed and devised by a cast of 31 youth artists, in collaboration with an expansive team composed of career artists from APTP and Third Rail Projects, "Learning Curve" has a maximum capacity of 40 Audience members, which fosters an intimate experience in which performers interact directly with audience.

"We are humbled and invigorated to know that people feel the theater Albany Park Theater Project makes is vital to their lives and to Chicago," said APTP Artistic Director David Feiner. "A long run like this poses unique challenges when almost every cast member is a full-time high school student. But 'Learning Curve' is a deeply personal show for our youth artists, and it is especially timely with Chicago's school budget crisis, the impasse in Springfield, and the real possibility that our schools may not open in the fall. So our cast and staff collaborated to devise a performance calendar that balances 'Learning Curve' with school and the company's other life commitments. It even gives them a little summer break after they rehearse 40-plus hours a week all of July and do 7 shows a week most of August. They are committed to giving as many audiences as possible the opportunity to experience 'Learning Curve' and the stories of Chicago's students and teachers."

Two years in development, "Learning Curve" utilizes the distinctive strengths of APTP and Third Rail Projects to create a stylized theatrical experience unlike any other. "Learning Curve" is performed at Ellen Gates Starr High School (3640 West Wolfram Street, Chicago).

"Learning Curve" is performed by 31 youth ensemble members of Albany Park Theater Project, all of whom are also co-creators of the devised work. Ensemble members range in age from 13 to 19, and have spent from one to five years as members of the APTP company. All cast members have a connection to Chicago's Albany Park neighborhood, one of the most ethnically diverse immigrant communities in the United States. The primarily first- and second-generation immigrant youth who compose the ensemble trace their roots to countries throughout Latin America, Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands and the Middle East. The cast members are: Lizbeth Acevedo, Maidenwena Alba, Jennifer Calderon, Randy Dang, Andrea Delgado, Carlos Desantiago, Gustavo Duran, Maria Duran, Luis Escamilla, Nichole Espinelli, Abraham Espino, Johnny Hamzo, Ashlie Hawkins, Atreyu Kaunert, BRandon Lorbes, Kiara Lyn Manriquez, Justin Martinez, Chelsee Nava, Alyanna Parajado, Paola Rico, Dayana Rios, Jesi Rojo, Samantha Romero, Mariana Rosas, Christina Saliba, Brisa Saucedo, Jeremy Sebastian, Alex Suarez, Yailin Tejada, Hector Velazquez, Maria Velazquez and Melony Vizcarra.

"Learning Curve" is directed by David Feiner and Jennine Willett in collaboration with Stephanie Paul, Maggie Popadiak, and Rosanna Rodríguez-Sanchéz of Albany Park Theater Project and Marissa Nielsen-Pincus, Edward Rice, and Carlton Cyrus Ward of Third Rail Projects. The production features Original Music & Sound Design by Mikhail Fiksel, Lighting Design by Lee Keenan, Costume Design by Izumi Inaba, Scenic Design by Scott C. Neale, Objects & Installation Design by Ellie Terrell. The Production Stage Manager is Monica M. Brown.