Brad Akin

After four years of producing plays in Chicago, Step Up Productions is reforming as Step Up Chicago Playwrights. In its new form, Step Up will dedicate itself to supporting new Chicago plays through paid residencies and commissions. Through its Chi Wrights education initiative, Step Up also hopes to foster a new, more diverse generation of Chicago playwrights. Founding Director Elizabeth Antonucci will continue to work with the company in an advisory role, while Brad Akin will step into the new role of Executive Director.

Steep Theatre will present the first professional U.S. production of Tony nominee and Olivier Award-winning playwright Mike Bartlett's Earthquakes in London, opening January 26, 2017. Steep's production opens on the heels of another Chicago production of this enormously exciting playwright's work, the critically-acclaimed King Charles III at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. Earthquakes will be helmed by one of Chicago's most exciting talents, Steep Ensemble Member and Jeff Award-winning director Jonathan Berry.  Berry recently directed Steppenwolf Theatre's Constellations, and, over the years, has consistently produced some of Steep's most notable shows, including Season 15's Posh by Laura Wade, which won the Non-Equity Jeff Award for Best Ensemble, and was nominated for Best Director and Best Production. 

Steep Theatre will present the first professional U.S. production of Tony nominee and Olivier Award-winning playwright Mike Bartlett's Earthquakes in London, opening January 26, 2017. Steep's production opens on the heels of another Chicago production of this enormously exciting playwright's work, the critically-acclaimed King Charles III at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. Earthquakes will be helmed by one of Chicago's most exciting talents, Steep Ensemble Member and Jeff Award-winning director Jonathan Berry.  Berry recently directed Steppenwolf Theatre's Constellations, and, over the years, has consistently produced some of Steep's most notable shows, including Season 15's Posh by Laura Wade, which won the Non-Equity Jeff Award for Best Ensemble, and was nominated for Best Director and Best Production. 

Four years ago, Bryan walked away from his life, his lover, and his labor of love -- a magazine for long distance truckers. Now, he's back, without explanation and without answers, looking to finish what he couldn't on the road. In an anonymous highway town, THE FEW pulls together the pieces of lives filled with loss. Steep Theatre Company continues its fifteenth season with the Chicago premiere of Samuel D. Hunter's THE FEW, directed by Steep ensemble member Brad Akin, running April 14 - May 21, 2016. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast onstage below!

Steep Theatre Company continues its fifteenth season with the Chicago premiere of Samuel D. Hunter's THE FEW, directed by Steep ensemble member Brad Akin, running April 14 - May 21, 2016.

Four years ago, Bryan walked away from his life, his lover, and his labor of love -- a magazine for long distance truckers. Now, he's back, without explanation and without answers, looking to finish what he couldn't on the road. In an anonymous highway town, THE FEW pulls together the pieces of lives filled with loss. Steep Theatre Company continues its fifteenth season with the Chicago premiere of Samuel D. Hunter's THE FEW, directed by Steep ensemble member Brad Akin, running April 14 - May 21, 2016. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast onstage below!

Steep Theatre Company continues its fifteenth season with the Chicago premiere of Samuel D. Hunter's THE FEW, directed by Steep ensemble member Brad Akin, running April 14 - May 21, 2016.

Chicago's Akvavit Theatre is pleased to present the U.S. premiere of Finnish playwright Okko Leo's dark comedy THE ORCHESTRA directed by Brad Akin, playing December 9, 2015 - January 10, 2016 at Rivendell Theatre, 5779 N. Ridge Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are currently available at brownpapertickets.com. The press opening is Friday, December 11 at 8 pm.

Akvavit Theatre presents Okko Leo's The Orchestra, December 11-January 10, 2015-16 at the Rivendell Theatre, 5779 N. Ridge Avenue, Chicago, IL 60660. Arne Lygre's Nothing of Me; dates and location in Spring 2016 TBD.

Chicago's Akvavit Theatre is pleased to present the U.S. premiere of Finnish playwright Okko Leo's dark comedy THE ORCHESTRA directed by Brad Akin, playing December 9, 2015 - January 10, 2016 at Rivendell Theatre, 5779 N.

Steep Theatre is thrilled to launch their 15th season with the world premiere of Hamish Linklater's THE CHEATS. THE CHEATS, Mr. Linklater's much-anticipated second play after his promising debut, explores the way that we can hastily judge others while refusing to acknowledge our own flaws. The production will be helmed by one of Chicago's most sought after directors, Steep Ensemble Member Joanie Schultz. THE CHEATS opens tonight, October 1st at Steep's Edgewater theatre, where the company has put together a string of hits, while bringing new work and new voices to Chicago. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Steep Theatre is thrilled to launch their 15th season with the world premiere of Hamish Linklater's THE CHEATS. THE CHEATS, Mr. Linklater's much-anticipated second play after his promising debut, explores the way that we can hastily judge others while refusing to acknowledge our own flaws. The production will be helmed by one of Chicago's most sought after directors, Steep Ensemble Member Joanie Schultz. THE CHEATS opens on October 1st at Steep's Edgewater theatre, where the company has put together a string of hits, while bringing new work and new voices to Chicago. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Chicago's Akvavit Theatre is pleased to present the U.S. premiere of Finnish playwright Okko Leo's dark comedy THE ORCHESTRA directed by Brad Akin, playing December 9, 2015 - January 10, 2016 at Rivendell Theatre, 5779 N. Ridge Ave. in Chicago. Tickets go on sale Monday, October 19 at www.akvavittheatre.org. The press opening is Friday, December 11 at 7:30 pm.

Steep Theatre is thrilled to launch their 15th season with the world premiere of Hamish Linklater's The Cheats.  Mr. Linklater, a celebrated and award-winning stage and film actor, made his playwriting debut in 2013 with the well-regarded piece The Vandal, which enjoyed an extended Off-Broadway run with the Flea Theater in New York City and subsequently made its Midwest premiere at Steep Theatre in October of 2014.  The Cheats, Mr. Linklater's much-anticipated second play after his promising debut, explores the way that we can hastily judge others while refusing to acknowledge our own flaws. The production will be helmed by one of Chicago's most sought after directors, Steep Ensemble Member Joanie Schultz. The Cheats opens on October 1st at Steep's Edgewater theatre, where the company has put together a string of hits, while bringing new work and new voices to Chicago.

Steep Theatre is thrilled to announce the programming for its upcoming, landmark 15th season.  The slate of shows will celebrate many of the elements that have defined this company since its inception and established it as one of the most vibrant companies in Chicago: bold scripts from today's most exciting writers; fearlessly honest ensemble work; and visionary directors.  Steep's 15th season features a U.S. premiere from 2015 Tony Award winner and Steep Associate Playwright Simon Stephens; a world premiere from playwright and veteran stage and screen actor Hamish Linklater; a U.S. Premiere from one of Britain's most celebrated writers Laura Wade; and a local premiere from Obie and Drama Desk Award winner Samuel D. Hunter. 

Akvavit Theatre presents Okko Leo's The Orchestra, December 11-January 10, 2015-16 at the Rivendell Theatre, 5779 N. Ridge Avenue, Chicago, IL 60660. Arne Lygre's Nothing of Me; dates and location in Spring 2016 TBD.

 Step Up Productions is pleased to conclude its 2014-15 season with Beth Henley's Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning dark comedy CRIMES OF THE HEART directed by Brad Akin, playing May 8 - June 14, 2015 at The Athenaeum Theatre (Studio One), 2936 N. Southport Ave. in Chicago.  Tickets are available at www.stepupproductions.org or by calling The Athenaeum Box Office at (773) 935-6875. The press opening is Tuesday, May 12 at 7:30 pm.

Step Up Productions will conclude its 2014-15 season with Beth Henley's Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning dark comedy CRIMES OF THE HEART directed by Brad Akin, playing tonight, May 8 - June 14, 2015 at The Athenaeum Theatre (Studio One), 2936 N. Southport Ave. in Chicago.

Step Up Productions is pleased to conclude its 2014-15 season with Beth Henley's Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning dark comedy CRIMES OF THE HEART directed by Brad Akin, playing May 8 - June 14, 2015 at The Athenaeum Theatre (Studio One), 2936 N. Southport Ave. in Chicago.

Step Up Productions will conclude its 2014-15 season with Beth Henley's Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning dark comedy CRIMES OF THE HEART directed by Brad Akin, playing May 8 - June 14, 2015 at The Athenaeum Theatre (Studio One), 2936 N. Southport Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are available at ?www.stepupproductions.org or by calling The Athenaeum Box Office at (773) 935-6875. The press opening is Tuesday, May 12 at 7:30 pm.