Greenhouse Theater Center to Host Solo Celebration

Wendy and William Spatz, owners and operators of the Greenhouse Theater Center (2257 N. Lincoln Avenue), today announced that the venue will produce a major new performance series showcasing the talents of solo performers as the inaugural season of the theater's new producing division. Running June 2016 - January 2017, "Solo Celebration!" will feature more than 50 weeks of programming comprised of one-person, full-length plays, musical and cabaret performances, comedians and special events on all four of the venue's stages. Submissions are currently being accepted for consideration to be included in the series at greenhousetheater.org.

Curating and producing the series will be newly appointed Greenhouse Theater Center Artistic Director Jacob Harvey. Harvey recently moved to Chicago having worked at Berkeley Repertory Theatre, where he was awarded the Bret C. Harte Director/Producer Fellowship. He also served as Associate Producer and Interim Director of Programming for the New York Musical Theatre Festival, and Co-Artistic Director of Mechanicals Theatre Group in Los Angeles. He has produced or directed numerous productions in Los Angeles and New York, including the new musical "Ladyhawks," (previously titled "Volleygirls"), "35mm: A Musical Exhibition," "Out of My Head" and "Mr. Marmalade." He is also a producer and consultant for Your Theatrics International. A distinguished team of theater artists from Chicago and around the country will join Harvey in the adjudication process.

"The ability of a single performer to mesmerize an audience has always been fascinating to Bill and me," said Wendy Spatz. "This performance series will showcase artists, both local and from across North America and perhaps other areas of the world, who possess this amazing gift."

The programming for "Solo Celebration!" will include as many as 15 full-length plays, which may run for as many as six weeks, as well as a multitude of limited engagements, running from one to three weeks, and special events with one or two performances. Most productions will be produced by Greenhouse Theater Center or co-produced by the venue in partnership with an established theater company. Four performance spaces are available: two 200-seat theaters and two 60-seat black-box studios. All artists will be paid, and all productions will receive box office and house management support, as well as significant marketing support provided by Carol Fox and Associates.

"Playwrights, producers, theater companies, actors (both Equity and non-Equity), comedians, singers, cabaret artists and other solo performers are all encouraged to apply for inclusion in 'Solo Celebration!,'" said Jacob Harvey. "Having worked extensively on both coasts, I relocated to Chicago because of the local theater community's incredible supportiveness, passion and eye toward artistic expression and quality. We want 'Solo Celebration!' to make the Greenhouse Theatre Center a hub for this sense of community, showcasing the incredible talent our community of theater artists has to offer, while also bringing in exceptional productions from other cities to inspire additional artistic growth and expression."

"The Greenhouse Theater Center has established itself as home to some of Chicago's finest theater companies, and that will not change," added William Spatz. "We are setting aside space between our resident companies' performances for 'Solo Celebration!' so as not to interfere with their ongoing programming needs. By offering production, marketing and administrative support, we hope to offer Chicagoans the opportunity to see a tremendous array of remarkable works that otherwise would not have been seen on any stage in our city."

Artists who wish to submit their work for consideration for inclusion in "Solo Celebration!" can apply by visiting greenhousetheater.org. Specific application requirements can be found on the website. The deadline for submissions is March 1, 2016 and applicants will be notified of their status on a rolling basis. Programming will be announced at a future date.

Funding for "Solo Celebration!" is provided by the Wendy and William Spatz Charitable Foundation.

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