Naomi Wallace To Visit Chicago in August to Participate in Events for Eclipse

Eclipse Theatre Company (www.eclipsetheatre.com), the only theatre company in the Midwest to feature the works of one playwright in one season, is currently in the midst of their 2011 season featuring the works of playwright Naomi Wallace. Ms. Wallace will visit Chicago August 27th and 28th to take part in a weekend of events that will honor her career and work as a playwright.

On Saturday August 27 beginning at 12:30pm at The Greenhouse Theater Center, Ms. Wallace will participate in an open forum discussion entitled One Playwright: a conversation with Naomi Wallace. Ms. Wallace will discuss her various works interspersed with scenes from a collection of her plays including One Flea Spare, The Trestle at Pope Lick Creek, and The Fever Chart. She will also answer questions from the audience. The event will be moderated by Tanya Palmer. Ms. Palmer is the current Director of New Play Development at The Goodman Theatre. She is also a playwright and dramaturg. She has co-edited several collections of plays, and has written articles on theatre and new play development for American Theatre, Theatre Topics and Parabasis. She was formerly the Director of New Play Development at Actors Theatre of Louisville.

After a brief intermission following the open forum event, a staged-reading of one of Ms. Wallace's newest play And I And Silence will be performed for the general public starting at 2:00pm. Frequent Wallace collaborator and guest artist Beth Cleary will direct. Beth Cleary is currently writing a book on the work of Ms. Wallace and has directed readings of new works at the Minneapolis Playwright's Center and is an associate professor and chair of theatre at Macalester College. A brief post-show discussion will follow the reading of the work.

During her visit, Ms. Wallace will be attending rehearsals for Eclipse's fall production of The Fever Chart: Four visions of the Middle East in addition to attending the current production of The Trestle at Pope Lick Creek which is now running through September 4th and is directed by guest artist Jonathan Berry.

Naomi Wallace's plays have been produced in the United Kingdom, Europe, the Middle East, and the United States. Her major plays include One Flea Spare, In the Heart of America, Slaughter City, The Trestle at Pope Lick Creek, Things of Dry Hours and The Fever Chart. Her work has received the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, The Kesselring Prize, The fellowship of Southern Writers Drama Award and the Obie Award. She is also a recipient of the MacArthur "Genius" Fellowship. Wallace is currently under commission with The Oregon Shakespeare Festival and The Joseph Papp Public Theatre in New York.

WHERE: One Playwright: A Conversation with Naomi Wallace moderated by Tanya Palmer
followed by a staged reading of And I And Silence, directed by Beth Cleary
The Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL 60614.
Some street parking; Fullerton El stop (Red, Brown, Purple); Lincoln #11 Bus.
Discounted parking at Children's Memorial Hospital lot, a block north on Lincoln, on weekday evenings after 5 p.m. and all day on weekends. Handicapped accessible.

WHEN: Saturday, August 27th, 2011 starting at 12:30 p.m. (includes discussion and reception)
Reading of And I And Silence will begin at 2:00 p.m.

TICKETS: Reservations for One Playwright: A conversation with Naomi Wallace and the staged reading of And I And Silence can be made by calling Eclipse Theatre Company at 773-325-9655, or by emailing to info@eclipsetheatre.com.

There is a $10 suggested donation for general public. Open to all Eclipse 2011 Season Subscribers.

CURRENTLY RUNNING: The Trestle at Pope Lick Creek directed by Jonathan Berry

WHEN: Runs Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 2:30 p.m.
Closes on Sunday,September 4, 2011

TICKETS: Call the Greenhouse Box Office at 773-404-7336,
(open 12 to 8 p.m. Tuesday - Saturday, and 12 to 4 p.m. on Sunday) or purchase online at www.eclipsetheatre.com.
$28 for all regular performances (half-price rush tickets available)
$23 for each ticket in groups of ten or more, $23 for seniors with ID, $18 for students

NEXT: Eclipse will conclude their 2011 Naomi Wallace Season with "The Fever Chart: Four Visions of the Middle East" by Naomi Wallace, co-directed by Eclipse ensemble members Steven Fedoruk and Sarah Moeller, running September 15th - October 30th, 2011, at the Greenhouse Theater Center in Chicago. Tickets can currently be purchased online at www.eclipsetheatre.com

FUNDERS: The City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (CityArts), The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, the Saints, and Chase Giving.

Eclipse Theatre Company presents the work of one playwright each season. We offer the audience an opportunity, unique in the Midwest, to journey with us through the playwright's works. Join us in exploring the breadth and depth of a playwright's artistic worlds.One playwright, one season, one illuminating journey.

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