Chicago Slam Works' 2015-16 Season to Kick Off in October with HANDSOME ANIMALS

After a successful premiere performance season, Chicago Slam Works House Ensemble is proud to announce its 2015-16 season featuring three world premieres of poetry-forward, interdisciplinary theater at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont. Using poetry as a primary medium, Chicago Slam Works' House Ensemble incorporates elements of movement, drama, music, spoken word, and sketch comedy to create a truly unique theater experience.

The 2015-16 season follows the format of its first season where the Chicago Slam Works House Ensemble is given a theme from which to create an original piece. The three themes for the 2015-16 season include "Handsome Animals", "Club Incendium" and "The Myth of American Greatness". All shows written and performed by Chicago Slam Works House Ensemble and the Ensemble Director is J.W. Basilo. Shows run Fridays at 8:15 p.m. For tickets and information visit www.ChicagoSlamWorks.com.

"We enjoyed a fantastic reception for our premiere season," Basilo said. "Chicago Slam Works is creating theater not seen anywhere else in the city. Our sophomore season is even stronger right out of the box. We learned a lot during our first season and are eager to present our newest work."

The 2015-16 Season is as follows:

"HANDSOME ANIMALS" - Fridays at 8:15 p.m., October 2nd - November 6th, 2015

A work of poetry-forward theater, "Handsome Animals" digs into the social construction of gender and body image, examining the ways in which gender norms affects our lives, our hearts, and our relationships. The ensemble explores what there is to discover when we question everything we were taught about boys, girls, and the bodies we carry.

The Chicago Slam Works House Ensemble members who collaborated on "Handsome Animals" include: Sam Dedian (Actor), Shelley Elaine Geiszler (Poet/Actor), Angela Oliver (Actor/Poet), Dru Smith (Actor/Hip Hop Artist), and Teagan Walsh-Davis (Actor/Poet), who also serves as the project's Lead Writer. J.W Basilo, Director

"CLUB INCENDIUM" - Fridays at 8:15 p.m., January 29th - March 4th, 2016

When there's nowhere to go but down, a ragtag rogue's gallery perform for their souls inside Hell's hottest cabaret. Through poetry, music, dance, and more, Club Incendium tackles questions of redemption, regret, and the necessity of art. Down here, there are only two rules: two drink minimum, and leave your body at the door.

"THE MYTH OF AMERICAN GREATNESS" - Fridays at 8:15 p.m., May 6th - June 10th, 2016

In a world with no shortage of violence and no shortage of distractions, The Myth of American Greatness turns a satirical eye to the ever-present specter of the media in the age of endless war. The revolution may be televised, but will we really see what we think we're seeing?

Chicago Slam Works House Ensemble presents its 2015-16 season featuring three world premieres of poetry-forward, interdisciplinary theater at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont. For tickets and information visit www.ChicagoSlamWorks.com.