Photo Flash: In Rehearsal with Steppenwolf Theatre's TRIBES

Rehearsals are underway for Steppenwolf Theatre Company's highly anticipated Chicago-premiere production of Tribes by Nina Raine, following the hit Off-Broadway production in 2012. Ensemble member Austin Pendleton is at the helm. The cast of six features ensemble members Alana Arenas, Francis Guinan and Molly Regan with Steve Haggard, Helen Sadler, and John McGinty in the central role of Billy; McGinty joins the cast direct from Guthrie Theater's production in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Tribes begins previews December 5, 2013 (opening night is December 15; press performances are December 14 at 3pm and December 17 at 7:30pm) and runs through February 9, 2014 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St). BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the team in rehearsal below!

Billy's intellectual and proudly eccentric English family is its own tiny empire: private languages, in-jokes and fiery arguments. Billy, deaf since birth (McGinty, also deaf since birth), is the only one who truly listens. When he meets his girlfriend Sylvia (Arenas), he is introduced to a larger Deaf community, which sparks a struggle for self-identity and rebellion against his family. Tribes is a sharp, witty story about finding the place where you can be heard-and a family that feels like home.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is strongly committed to making all subscription and Steppenwolf for Young Adults productions accessible by offering American Sign Language-interpreted, open-captioned and audio-described performances, available for $20 for patrons utilizing these programs and their guests. Steppenwolf was named Best Accessible Theatre by the membership of Deaf Illinois in 2011, and was nominated again in 2013 for these efforts. For Tribes, Steppenwolf builds on this foundation by presenting eight additional performances featuring ASL interpretation or open captioning, donating tickets to area Deaf and hard-of-hearing organizations, and adding captioning for online video content. The TribesOutreach Committee, chaired by Equip for Equality attorney Rachel Arfa, was also formed to address the opportunities presented by this production.

The cast of Tribes features ensemble members Alana Arenas as Sylvia; Francis Guinan as Christopher; and Molly Regan as Beth; with Steve Haggard as Daniel; John McGinty as Billy; and Helen Sadler as Ruth.

The production team for Tribes includes: Walt Spangler (scenic design), Rachel Anne Healy (costume design), Keith Parham (lighting design),Josh Schmidt (sound design and original music) and John Boesche (projection design). Additional credits include: Erica Daniels (casting),Michelle Medvin (stage manager) and Christine D. Freeburg (assistant stage manager).

Tickets to Tribes ($20 - $82) are on sale now through Audience Services (1650 N Halsted St), 312-335-1650 and steppenwolf.org. 20 for $20: twenty $20 tickets are available through Audience Services beginning at 11am on the day of each performance (1pm for Sunday performances).

Photo Credit: Joel Moorman

Helen Sadler and ensemble members Molly Regan and director Austin Pendleton

Ensemble member Alana Arenas with John McGinty

Ensemble member Francis Guinan

Ensemble member Alana Arenas (center) and John McGinty (right) in rehearsal with interpreter Susan Sotnick (left)

Helen Sadler and Steve Haggard

Steve Haggard

John McGinty

Ensemble member Alana Arenas